The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current condition and service. The Board also noted conflicting statements from the Veteran regarding when he first experienced pain.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any chronicity of back pain during service or after service, and there was no medical evidence linking the current disability to service.
- Claimed conditions
- low back degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21008843
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21008843.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for low back degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA peripheral nerves examination and a supplemental opinion regarding the impact of medication on his condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him disabled to the extent that he requires regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for various knee and back conditions, sciatica, and femoral nerve impairment, except for a 20 percent rating granted for left and right femoral nerve impairment beginning August 25, 2022.
- Granted
The veteran's service connection for a low back disorder, including degenerative arthritis and disc disease, is granted. The decision is based on the presumption of continuity of symptomatology since service.
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