The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including a herniated disc and sacroiliac strain, as it was not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor was it proximately due to her service-connected right ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current back condition was related to her period of service or secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability. The medical opinions provided were equivocal and did not establish a clear link between the veteran's in-service injury and her current back disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated disc, sacroiliac strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2009
- Citation
- 0900098
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, herniated disc, and lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot hammer toes with callousing and hallux valgus.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical radiculopathy, herniated disc, and spinal stenosis to obtain VA examinations to determine their nature and etiologies.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for back pain, chronic sciatica pain, herniated disc, and scoliosis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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