The veteran's claims for increased ratings for myofascial syndrome of the cervical spine and residuals of a low back injury were denied as there was no evidence to support higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show that the veteran's disabilities warranted higher disability ratings based on the current criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Myofascial syndrome of the cervical spine, Residuals of a low back injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2005
- Citation
- 0534018
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 0534018.
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 Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to service and to rate his left knee disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board finds that the veteran's current back disability is more likely than not due to in-service manifestations and grants service connection.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's service connection for residuals of a low back injury was granted, while the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder with somatic features and for service connection for residuals of a hip injury were denied.
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