The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's low back muscle pain, finding that the disability has been manifested primarily by subjective complaints of back pain and occasional tenderness to palpation. The evidence did not support an evaluation greater than 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate the presence of muscle spasms or severe limitation of motion required for higher evaluations, nor was there evidence of intervertebral disc syndrome as described in Diagnostic Codes 5293 and 5295.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back muscle pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0210146
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 0210146.
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
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