The Board denied the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain, lumbar arthritis, and lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), based on the lack of evidence showing chronic in-service symptoms or continuous post-service symptoms.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's reported in-service and post-service symptoms were not credible due to a lack of contemporaneous medical evidence supporting them, and there was no objective evidence indicating the onset of chronic back pain or other spinal disorder during service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, lumbar arthritis, lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21063038
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 Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining new medical opinions and examination reports to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and TDIU due to missing records.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, and left knee strain. The initial rating period from March 5, 2024, was denied for allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during active service.
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