The Board found that the veteran's back disorder did not manifest during service or within a reasonable time after service, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to military service. The VA examiner opined that the veteran's current thoracolumbar spine conditions were less likely caused by his military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found the private physician's opinion lacking in clinical data and rationale, while the VA examiner's opinion was supported by a comprehensive review of all pertinent medical records and provided a clear rationale for the conclusion reached.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 20, 2006
- Citation
- 0632724
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 0632724.
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 claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and a gynecological disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for multiple service-connected conditions and denied service connection for several additional conditions, including tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, left sciatic radicular pain of the left leg, traumatic brain injury (TBI), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a back disorder.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disorder, and a left hip disorder are remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with traumatic brain injury and remanded claims for service connection for back, right foot, and neck disorders.
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.