The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: VA medical opinion determined that the current back disorders are more likely due to aging, weight gain, and physical labor rather than an in-service fall or injury.
- Claimed conditions
- DDD of the lumbar spine, sprain/strain of the low back, chronic lumbar and SI dysfunction, annular tear of the L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2016
- Citation
- 1646314
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 1646314.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and remanded issues related to a left hip condition, colon cancer status post colon resection, and right foot and right hip conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disorder. The Veteran will undergo a new VA examination to determine the nature and cause of his condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of ankylosis assessment, and need for additional medical records.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, DDD of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, and a left knee condition. The conditions are found to have started during service.
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