The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year thereafter. The Board also found that the current back pain is not related to his service-connected left knee disability.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence showing a chronic lumbar spine disability during service or within one year after separation, and there is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar degenerative disc disease to service or any incident therein, including his reported fall in January 1975. The Board also found that the back pain is not aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2013
- Citation
- 1308330
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 1308330.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2023.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for migraines, lumbar degenerative disc disease with associated lower extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection is denied for left hip strain and right hip strain.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability was also denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for a postoperative back scar related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with right great toe hallux limitus; bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy; obstructive sleep apnea; cervical degenerative arthritis, disc disease, spinal stenosis, and C4-C7 fusion; left shoulder strain; lumbar degenerative disc disease; right shoulder strain; right knee tendonitis; left knee tendonitis; painful right neck scar; tinnitus; right lower extremity polyneuropathy; and left lower extremity polyneuropathy render him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.
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