The Board denied service connection for a back disability and right lower leg numbness as secondary to the back disability, finding no evidence supporting a causal link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's back disability began during active service or was otherwise related to an in-service injury. Additionally, since the Veteran is not service-connected for a back disability, secondary service connection cannot be established for right lower leg numbness as secondary to a back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability with disc degeneration and pain, right lower leg numbness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25051217
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
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