The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and lumbar spine disability are not service connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current low back condition was less likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided did not establish a direct link between the Veteran's in-service lumbar strain and his current low back disability, nor could they find any evidence of continuity of symptoms since separation from service. The examiner also found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder was less likely caused by or aggravated by his hepatitis C.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder Other Than PTSD, Lumbar Spine Disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1708899
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 1708899.
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: Denied
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 19, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as 30% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 20% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated as 20% since August 3, 2024.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 10% prior to August 27, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right foot disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims of increased ratings for Right Shoulder Disability and Lumbar Spine Disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding medication effects.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability were also denied. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in service or were otherwise related to service.
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