The VA has determined that the veteran's low back pain with sciatica does not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as it only manifests as characteristic pain on motion without evidence of current intervertebral disc disease.
The deciding factor: The examination findings and medical records do not support an increased rating for the service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back pain with sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 8, 2003
- Citation
- 0315161
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 0315161.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's case requires further development due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is adequately considered under the schedular criteria and does not represent an exceptional disability picture that would warrant an extraschedular rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, a new VA examination, and compliance with previous Board directives.
- 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.
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