The Board denied service connection for residuals of neck injury, residuals of back injury, and radiculopathy in the extremities (claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities).,The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to active duty service.
The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be granted purely based on assertions of continuous symptoms since active duty. The Veteran's separation examination in October 1989 was silent for complaints of neck or back pain, and he did not report any such symptoms during the subsequent years.,The VA examiners concluded that the current cervical spine/neck and lumbar spine disabilities are less likely than not related to service due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to in-service events. The examiner also noted a 23-year gap between separation from active duty and diagnosis of radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of neck injury, residuals of back injury, radiculopathy in the extremities (claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21005241
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 21005241.
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 determined that additional medical opinions and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims have been remanded.
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The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding whether pre-existing scoliosis was aggravated by service. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on this issue, which is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted under the PACT Act. Other claims were remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of back injury should be remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination and medical opinion, which is necessary to determine if his current disability is related to his military service.
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