Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's disabilities were not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current neck and back disabilities are more likely related to age-related changes rather than service.

The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current neck and back disabilities were incurred in service.

Claimed conditions
neck disability, back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
May 13, 2021
Citation
21029355

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 21029355.

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.

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.