The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's current neck disabilities are attributed to natural aging processes.,The issue of service connection for a back disability remains pending as additional information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) is needed, along with medical clarification on whether his congenital conditions are developmental defects or diseases.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's neck disabilities. The current diagnoses were attributed to natural aging processes and not service-connected.,Further investigation is needed regarding the Veteran’s periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, as well as clarification on whether his congenital conditions are developmental defects or diseases.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, neck disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19156220
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 19156220.
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: Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a neck disability due to pre-decisional error in not obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion.
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