The Board denied service connection for a mid and low back disorder, but granted a higher disability evaluation (20%) for the veteran's recurrent cervical spine disorder.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no medical evidence indicating that the veteran's current mid and low back disorder is related to his military service. The VA orthopedic examination in January 2002 supported this conclusion, as it did not find any history of low back symptoms at the time of the motor vehicle accident or during the presumptive period.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical mid and low back pain, Recurrent cervical spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0212552
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 0212552.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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