The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper spine condition (neck pain) secondary to herniated nucleous pulpus L5-S1 and his bilateral lower extremity sciatica has been denied. The Board found no competent evidence of a current upper neck or spine condition, nor any nexus between the Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleous pulposus L5-S1 and these conditions.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not establish that the Veteran currently has an upper spine or neck condition, nor is there sufficient credible lay evidence to support a finding of such. The April 2010 VA examination report did not diagnose any current upper neck or spine condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated Nucleus Pulposus L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1517216
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1517216.
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 back disability is currently rated at various levels, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination to assess the severity of her condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 27, 2012 for service connection of scars and facial neuropathy are granted. The initial disability ratings assigned remain unchanged.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
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