The Board denied all claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the grant of higher ratings or a TDIU under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with left sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2003
- Citation
- 0315515
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 0315515.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his entitlement to SMC based on the need of aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, as well as for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an extension of the delimiting date and retroactive award of educational assistance benefits was denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his completion of the apprenticeship program in carpentry.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with left sciatica and limitation of motion was granted a disability rating of 20 percent from September 1, 1993 to December 21, 1994. From December 22, 1994 to May 13, 1998, the Veteran's condition warranted a higher rating but not as high as requested. Beginning May 14, 1998, the disability was rated at 40 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge in accordance with the Veteran's request.
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