The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine due to or aggravated by military service, nor may service connection for a chronic disorder be presumed.
The deciding factor: The most competent medical opinion of record states that the veteran's current disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine are due to post-service workplace accidents rather than to any injury during military service.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated nucleus pulposus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, spondylosis of the lumbar spine, stenosis of the lumbar spine, rheumatoid arthritis (osteoarthritis) of the cervical spine at multiple levels, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 6, 2008
- Citation
- 0804321
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0804321.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was determined due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathies, and left lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop. The issues include determining if these conditions are related to service or other factors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 30, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 1, 2018.
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