The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back disability due to lack of a timely substantive appeal. The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, depression, arthritis of the hips, and loss of bladder control are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Claims for new and material evidence regarding left knee disorder, cardiovascular disability (manifested by hypertension with chest pain and syncope), and PTSD were also denied due to lack of new or significant evidence.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's complaints of headaches, depression, arthritis of the hips, and loss of bladder control during service were not documented. The first post-service evidence of these conditions was many years after discharge. Additionally, there is no medical nexus linking any current condition to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, headaches, depression, arthritis of the hips, loss of bladder control
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2002
- Citation
- 0206080
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0206080.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
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