The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the condition is not related to service and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence of chronic myositis after service, and concluded that the Veteran's congenital defects pre-existed service and were not aggravated by it.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disorder, degenerative arthritis of the spine, congenital spondylolysis, lumbar radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20071612
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a November 2023 rating decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a deviated septum and right wrist pain, while denying service connection for sleep apnea. The decision also addressed various rating issues and effective dates.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.