The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1 condition to his active service and denied the claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: There was no competent medical evidence showing a nexus between the veteran's current diagnosis of a herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1, and his period of active service.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 9, 2002
- Citation
- 0209604
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 0209604.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors in the VA opinions regarding the Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus and knee meniscal tears, necessitating remand for additional development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran was granted a 40% rating for their herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1 both prior to July 31, 2017 and from September 1, 2017.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher rating for herniated nucleus pulposus, service connection for right hip disorder, and service connection for cervical spine disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, depressive disorder and tonsillectomy. The TDIU claim is also denied.
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