The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that the preexisting condition of back pain existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the veteran's back disorder was present at the time of his entrance into service and had been aggravated by an automobile accident prior to service, but there was no evidence of an increase in severity during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back pain
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2002
- Citation
- 0214386
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 0214386.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for low back pain and right hip pain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches from January 22, 2023, but denied increased ratings for dermatitis and allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for low back pain and migraines, effective October 1, 2019. The claim for sciatic nerve pain was remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for DMII and PN due to diabetes, but denied service connection for low back pain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back pain, left shoulder osteoarthritis, right shoulder rotator cuff, right bicep tendonitis, left bicep tendonitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and Meniere's Syndrome (vertigo) to address duty-to-assist errors.
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