Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected recurrent low back pain, and also denied the propriety of reducing his evaluation from 20 percent to zero percent effective May 11, 1995. The appeal is currently pending.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the reduction in the veteran's disability evaluation from 20% to 0%, as the reduction was based on a non-service-connected condition (left L5-S1 herniated nucleus pulposus).

Claimed conditions
recurrent low back pain
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
September 29, 2003
Citation
0325605

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 0325605.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.