The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset in service and is not directly etiologically related to service. The medical evidence showed no chronic disease or injury shown in service, and there was no continuity of symptomatology since service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the STRs were silent for complaints of, treatment for, or a diagnosis of a chronic low back disorder, and the Veteran did not seek treatment until nearly 20 years after discharge. The absence of evidence of back pain in the STRs is one factor supporting the conclusion that the current low back disorder did not have its onset in service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, arthritis at L4-L5 on the right
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26033940
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 A26033940.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
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