The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain (osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine) was denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.,Service connection for defective vision, including nearsightedness with spots on the retinas, was also denied due to lack of a diagnosed disability at separation and insufficient medical evidence connecting any visual defect to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's low back condition is less likely than not related to his military service, attributing it instead to a 1989 motor vehicle accident. The same examiner concluded that the defective vision was less likely caused by or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.,VA medical opinions indicated no confirmed diagnosis of neurobehavioral effects due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune and noted that such symptoms must have begun during service and continued post-service, which is not supported in the Veteran's records.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back pain (osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine), defective vision, neurobehavioral effects (claimed as neurological issues)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21015111
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 21015111.
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 claims for various conditions and service connection issues are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The specific issues include rating adjustments, service connection determinations, and reopening of previously denied claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); stroke residuals; seizure disorder; and defective vision due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and a need for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for defective vision because new evidence did not relate to the unestablished issue of whether the condition was caused or aggravated by service.
- Granted
The Board has revised its decision to grant service connection for aphakia of the left eye with defective vision, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in denying it initially.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.