The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back injury as a result of an automobile accident during National Guard training was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have evidence to support his contention that he incurred the injury during active duty or ACDUTRA, and thus service connection could not be granted on a direct basis. The issue of increased rating and TDIU for generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD is also addressed in the REMAND section.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's automobile accident occurred outside of his period of active military service and National Guard training, making it difficult to establish service connection based on direct service origin.
- Claimed conditions
- Back injury, Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1648554
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 1648554.
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 Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 6, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, left knee, urinary, and scar disabilities as there is no persuasive evidence that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his period of honorable military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's ambulance expenses incurred on September 26, 2024 for medical treatment of a back injury are granted as the condition constituted an emergency and travel by ambulance was medically required. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to defray the cost.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of back, left knee, and right knee injuries due to a lack of VA examinations.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.