The Board denied service connection for upper back pain and left wrist pain and weakness, finding no current diagnosis of an upper back disability and that any related issues are already contemplated by the rating criteria for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a current diagnosis of an upper back disability or a separate grant of service connection for a thoracic spine disability, as the Veteran was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and no fracture. The left wrist issue is related to a fall in service but without a clear link to the service-connected low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- upper back pain, left wrist pain and weakness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2018
- Citation
- 18148994
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 18148994.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and service connection were dismissed due to their death. The claims will be dismissed without prejudice.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand several claims due to the Veteran's entitlement to Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits, which were not considered in the previous decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to failure to comply with previous directives regarding verification of his address and scheduling of VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), dysphagia, frequent urination, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), rash on face, right shoulder pain, sleep apnea, upper back pain, and vertigo due to the untimely filing of the appeal request.
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