The Board found that the veteran's preexisting cervical and lumbar spine disabilities with degenerative disc disease were not aggravated by active service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence demonstrated that the veteran's conditions clearly and unmistakably preexisted his military service, and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine disability with degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine disability with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2002
- Citation
- 0205377
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 0205377.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability with degenerative disc disease due to new evidence indicating that his service-connected disabilities have worsened since his last VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar spine disability with degenerative disc disease, finding that it did not have its onset during active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine disability with degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to August 4, 2004 and 40 percent as of that date.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.