The Board found that the veteran's claimed low back disorder, neck pain, shoulder pain, rapid heartbeat and chest pains, and sensory disruptions below the left scapula were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also determined that these symptoms are manifestations of his service-connected hiatal hernia with GERD.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's claimed disabilities were related to his military service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder, Neck pain, Rapid heartbeat and chest pains, Sensory disruptions below the left scapula, Shoulder pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 17, 2004
- Citation
- 0415539
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 0415539.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to correct duty to assist errors, as the previous VA examinations and opinions are inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities to correct duty-to-assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of a disability rating for a low back disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity on a secondary basis, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity on a secondary basis.
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