The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and found new and material evidence to support a current low back disorder, which is now considered part of his service connection claim. The Board concluded that while there was no direct evidence linking the current condition to service, the veteran's post-service medical records and affidavits provided sufficient evidence to reopen the claim.
The deciding factor: The new evidence presented by the veteran, including private treatment records and affidavits from individuals who knew him prior to and after his military service, is considered material as it suggests a link between the veteran's current low back disorder and an in-service injury. The Board found this sufficient to reopen the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disorder, arthritis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2002
- Citation
- 0204707
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0204707.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The appeal for service connection for fibromyalgia was granted with an effective date of August 14, 2023. The appeals for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
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