The veteran's service-connected low back disability was not manifested by severe intervertebral disc syndrome, severe limitation of motion, residuals of a fractured vertebra, ankylosis, or severe lumbosacral strain during the period from January 26, 1993, to July 12, 2001. Therefore, his claim for a higher evaluation was denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 20 percent during the specified period.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative lumbar disc disease, L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 4, 2003
- Citation
- 0318932
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 0318932.
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
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