The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during military service, and because the Veteran had filed a timely appeal on these issues. The CUE claims regarding the September 30, 2008 rating decisions are now moot.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no medical opinion linking any currently diagnosed lumbar or cervical spine disorders to service, including the motor vehicle accident in 1972 and post-service injuries. The Veteran's STRs did not show any chronic lumbar spine complaints during service, and his current diagnoses are attributed to post-service events.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 14, 2015
- Citation
- 1530112
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 1530112.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
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