The Board finds that the Veteran's low back injury is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the medical opinion indicates it is less likely than not related to his service. The claim for depression remains pending.
The deciding factor: VA examiner found no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms over the years and opined that the Veteran's low back condition is less likely associated with a November 1978 in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), Low back injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2011
- Citation
- 1134976
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 1134976.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate verification of in-service exposure and the need for additional VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus to allow for further development of evidence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for avascular necrosis of the bilateral shoulders and hips, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and neurological impairments of various extremities as they were not causally related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and a right knee condition. The claims for left knee condition, back injury, hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, and surgical complications of pregnancy were remanded.
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