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Whole decision: Denied

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy, diaphoresis, hypertension, residuals of inguinal hernia, gastrointestinal disability, prostate disability, and peripheral nerve disability (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for arm pain (degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulder).

The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records were silent for any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed disabilities, and there was no objective evidence in the medical records that he complained or received treatment for these conditions within 10 years after being released from service. The Board found the Veteran’s actual lumbar condition more likely caused by age, obesity, and occupational history.

Claimed conditions
lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy, diaphoresis, hypertension, residuals of inguinal hernia, gastrointestinal disability, prostate disability, disability of the peripheral nerves, arm pain
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
August 21, 2018
Citation
18127387

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 18127387.

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.

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