The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and an upper respiratory disorder, including sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service or any service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The weight of the evidence demonstrated that the veteran's currently diagnosed low back disability was not related by competent medical evidence to any incident during service or to the service-connected burns. Similarly, his current diagnoses of sinusitis/allergic rhinitis were not related to any incident during service or related to the service-connected burns.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder, Upper respiratory disorder, including sinusitis/allergic rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2008
- Citation
- 0815250
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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