The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that it was not at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s currently diagnosed neck, back, and related disabilities had their onset in active service, including the injury in 1973.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar vertebral fractures with degenerative disc disease (DDD), bursitis, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy of both hips and the left leg (lumbar spine disability), cervical spine (neck) disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2016
- Citation
- 1629827
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 1629827.
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 has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions that consider all relevant evidence of record, including the Veteran's lay statements.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine, left and right upper extremity neurological disabilities, and headaches are all granted service connection. The back disability is remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine (neck) disability, left shoulder disability, and migraines are granted service connection. The thoracolumbar and bilateral elbow disabilities are remanded for further examination.
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