The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder characterized as spina bifida, L5-S1, to include low back, right hip and leg pain. The appeal is denied.
The deciding factor: The newly submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- spina bifida, L5-S1, low back, right hip and leg pain
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2009
- Citation
- 0912180
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 0912180.
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's appeal regarding the April 1, 2020 rating decision was dismissed because he did not timely file a VA Form 10182 and good cause has not been shown to extend the filing deadline.
- Denied
The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for a child born with spina bifida is denied because no new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the claim.
- Denied
The Board denied benefits for spina bifida and other covered birth defects because the Appellant does not have a diagnosis of spina bifida, her mother is not a Vietnam Veteran, and there is no legal basis to grant benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there are duty to assist errors in the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, bilateral feet, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claims must be remanded to correct these errors.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.