The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence and concluding that the Veteran's back condition did not manifest during service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's STRs were silent for any complaints or treatment related to his lower back condition, and concluded that the Veteran's lay statements about pain during service were inconsistent with the record. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26026988
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 A26026988.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, effective January 12, 2024. Attorney fees are eligible based on past due benefits awarded in this decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and PTSD), and Parkinson's disease. The conditions are presumed to be due to exposure in service.,Service connection is established for all four claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the conditions prior to August 4, 2021.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, including determining an effective date prior to April 6, 2022, and setting a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.
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