The Board found that the Veteran did not have a low back injury or disease during service and that his current degenerative joint/disc disease is not related to service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed no chronic symptoms of a lumbar spine disorder in service, and the Veteran's assertions of continuous post-service symptomatology were outweighed by inconsistent statements regarding when he first experienced back problems.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint/Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2015
- Citation
- 1543961
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1543961.
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 service-connected low back disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to August 11, 2021. The Board has now remanded the case for further development and rating consideration.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint/disc disease of the lumbar spine, is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is found to be related to his military service, specifically an injury when he was hit by a bulldozer in service.
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