The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his psychiatric and low back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of new and material information to reopen previously denied claims.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not provide sufficient updated medical findings or evidence to support a grant of higher evaluations based on the current criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction manifested by anxiety and conversion reactions, arthritic changes of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2003
- Citation
- 0326177
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 0326177.
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 Veteran's initial claim for service connection for arthritic changes of the lumbar spine was denied in October 1998, but he raised it again on February 2, 2007. The Board found that there was no indication of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the previous denial.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine and right shoulder disorders did not have their onset during any period of active duty service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were also denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered a supplemental opinion from Dr. C.L.S. to clarify whether the Veteran's COPD was caused or aggravated by service-connected disability, and if so, whether it contributed to his death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for arthritic changes of the lumbar spine.
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