The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for lumbar muscle back pain disorder and a neck disorder must be denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of current disability related to service.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of low back pathology during service. The first evidence of treatment for low back symptoms post-service is dated about two years after separation from active duty. There are no medical records showing arthritis of either the lumbar spine or cervical spine within one year of separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar muscle back pain disorder, neck disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2008
- Citation
- 0800804
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 0800804.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his service connection claims.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, headaches, and a neck disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not show entitlement prior to September 6, 2019.,Service connection for a neck disorder and bilateral hearing loss were both denied because there is no current disability found in the record.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder, finding that the Veteran's in-service fall and subsequent pain are related to his current condition.
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