The Board found no evidence of a low back disability in service and concluded that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service. The examiner opined that the Veteran's current back issues are more likely due to aging, wear and tear, and other non-service-related factors.,For the headache disorder claim, the VA examiner found no evidence of a headache condition in service or shortly after service discharge. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's headaches are not related to his left eye enucleation.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there is insufficient evidence linking the current low back disability to service and concluded that it was less likely than not caused by an in-service injury or event.,Regarding the headache disorder, the VA examiner found no direct link between the Veteran's left eye enucleation and his current headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back condition, Headache disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2017
- Citation
- 1711989
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1711989.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and right shoulder rotator cuff strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disability are dismissed as procedural defects due to the overlapping nature of the appeals.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hip condition, finding that the Veteran's back pain is aggravated by his right hip surgery.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ankle disability and headache disorder secondary to PTSD with alcohol use disorder have been granted increased ratings, effective September 16, 2018.
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