The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for L5-S1 spondylolysis with mild retrolisthesis and a higher initial rating for his chronic lumbar syndrome. The veteran had moderate limitation of motion in his low back, warranting a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Codes 5292 and 5295.
The deciding factor: The VA physician's opinion indicated that the veteran did not have additional disability due to aggravation during service of his pre-existing congenital or developmental L5-S1 spondylolysis with mild retrolisthesis, thus denying service connection for this condition. For his chronic lumbar syndrome, he had moderate limitation of motion in his low back, which warranted a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Codes 5292 and 5295.
- Claimed conditions
- L5-S1 spondylolysis with mild retrolisthesis, Chronic lumbar syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0216694
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 0216694.
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: Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbar syndrome from February 14, 2019, to March 10, 2020, as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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