The Board found insufficient evidence to link the Veteran's current spine disabilities to his military service, and thus denied service connection.
The deciding factor: VA examiners provided opinions that the Veteran's spinal disabilities were not related to service or any injuries therein, based on X-ray findings and specific diagnoses listed in the 2015 VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1639841
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 1639841.
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: Granted
The Veteran's spinal disability is rated at 100 percent from April 8, 2013. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a spinal disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a headache disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient information provided by VA regarding examiner files and exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of a spinal disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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