The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder during service and concluded that the current disability is not related to service. The claim for hearing loss and tinnitus was remanded.
The deciding factor: There was no continuity of symptoms or medical evidence linking the current low back disability to service, including any in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disorder (degenerative disc disease)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2009
- Citation
- 0915426
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 0915426.
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 Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his lumbar spine disorder examination reports.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and an in-service injury.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, left foot plantar fasciitis, right and left knee disorders, and hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine these issues.
- Denied
The Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown during active duty service, within one year of discharge, and are not related to service or toxic herbicide exposure.
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.