The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back disability was denied. The issue regarding reopening the cervical spine disorder claim has been reopened, but there is no evidence to support service connection. There is also no clear and unmistakable error found in the September 1974 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current medical records do not provide sufficient evidence to warrant an increased evaluation of his low back disability, which remains at 40 percent. The cervical spine disorder claim has been reopened but lacks supporting evidence. There is no clear and unmistakable error found in the September 1974 rating decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Cervical spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2007
- Citation
- 0739977
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 0739977.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
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