The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for low back strain, hepatitis, bilateral tinea pedis with ingrown toenails, polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity, and polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity have been denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for low back strain effective September 8, 2003, under DC 5292 (prior to September 26, 2003).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back strain does not meet the criteria for higher ratings as it is not manifested by severe limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Strain, Hepatitis, Bilateral Tinea Pedis with Bilateral Ingrown Toenails, Polyneuropathy, Right Upper Extremity, Polyneuropathy, Left Upper Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 16, 2010
- Citation
- 1030530
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 1030530.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his alcohol-related causes of death were etiologically linked to a service-connected disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and status post left shoulder surgeries, but denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, sciatic pain in the right leg, sciatic pain in the left leg, right big toe pain, and a right upper extremity disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, PTSD, depression, frequent urination, intermetatarsal neuroma right foot, left knee condition, right knee condition, low back strain, shoulder strain, and tinnitus, due to a failure to provide necessary examinations.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied an initial compensable rating for right foot hammer toes, while remanding the claim for service connection for hepatitis.
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