The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain (lumbar spine) and cervical spine spondylosis disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions found no link between the Veteran’s in-service parachute jumps and his current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not report any back or neck pain during his separation examination or in subsequent medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain (lumbar spine), cervical spine spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21013274
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 21013274.
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 Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development to determine its nature and etiology, including consideration of in-service events and symptoms.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, including those related to various conditions such as right foot condition, TMJ, asthma, jawbone condition, sleep apnea, kidney stones, chronic bronchitis, Alpha gal, encephalopathy, left shoulder, left ankle, cervical spine, right hip, tachycardia, loose teeth, and jawbone condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for cervical spine spondylosis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, as an adequate medical opinion has not been obtained.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for cervical spine spondylosis from September 23, 2013 and a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy prior to December 16, 2013. Other claims were denied.
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