The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, including a herniated disc and lumbar DDD, is not causally or etiologically related to his service. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service, with conflicting statements from the Veteran regarding when he first experienced symptoms and inconsistent medical records failing to show any pre-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar DDD, herniated disc
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 1, 2014
- Citation
- 1429818
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 1429818.
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 Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, are remanded for further development. The fibromyalgia with headaches claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's child is not eligible for VA benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for spina bifida because the evidence does not support a diagnosis of this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's back disability, including back strain and herniated disc, is related to his military service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, and multi-level spondylosis. The Board found that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.
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