The Board found that the veteran's spinal disorders did not warrant a higher rating prior to January 18, 2000. The RO had previously denied increased ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine conditions in June 1997 and October 1998, respectively. After reviewing medical evidence from January 18, 2000, the RO determined that the veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated the requirements for a 60 percent evaluation.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show symptoms of persistent low back pain or cervical spine pain with little intermittent relief prior to January 18, 2000.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Disc Disease, Lumbosacral Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0817078
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 0817078.
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: Granted
The Veteran was unable to maintain substantial gainful employment from August 2006 to August 2007 due to service-connected disabilities, but has been able to obtain and maintain substantially gainful occupation since then.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and an increased rating for cervical disc disease. The Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service motor vehicle accident.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral disc disease with a rating of 20 percent and effective date of August 10, 2005. The claim to reopen for right knee disability is denied as new and material evidence does not show the Veteran now has such a condition. However, the claim to reopen for left knee disability is granted due to new and material evidence showing arthritis in the left knee.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 9, 2003 and since March 1, 2003.
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