The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed upper spine disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reported injury in 1972 was not documented at the time or during his service, and there is no medical evidence linking the current upper spine disability to service.
- Claimed conditions
- upper spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 25, 2011
- Citation
- 1127749
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1127749.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal for readjudication of service connection claims, primarily focusing on a left heel disability and its secondary effects.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for eye, skin cancer, head, upper spine, and backside disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination of both shoulders.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and an upper spine disability was granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for recurrent right foot strain is denied as there is no evidence of an earlier pending claim.
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.