The Board found that the Veteran's low back condition was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service and is not related to service. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's back condition was caused by his military service.
The deciding factor: There were no complaints of back pain on the March 1967 separation examination report or records of in-service treatment of back pain after the September 1965 accident, and the VA examiner concluded there was no documentation of a nexus between the Veteran's military service and his degenerative disc disease.
- Claimed conditions
- low_back_condition, degenerative_disc_disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2014
- Citation
- 1405822
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 1405822.
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 Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and evidence. The respiratory condition claim is related to exposure during training, while the low back condition claim requires a new examination considering the in-service fall.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and low back strain, had its onset during his active duty service or within one year thereafter. The decision grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disabilities, including low back syndrome and degenerative disc disease, are related to service. The criteria for service connection have been met.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as there is no credible evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The claim is therefore denied.
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