The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability from October 25, 1991 to April 25, 1993. The decision was based on the evidence and applicable legal criteria at that time.
The deciding factor: The decision was not affected by any error in fact or law that would have changed its outcome.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with disc protrusion at L5-S1, stable S1-S2 radiculopathy, mild degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2009
- Citation
- 0938961
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 0938961.
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 decided to remand the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as mild degenerative disc disease due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding causation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities, including IVDS and degenerative disc disease, are rated at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, which is presumed to be related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence to support that his current condition was aggravated by service.
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