The Board found that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities did not manifest in service or within the one-year presumptive period, and are not otherwise related to service.
The deciding factor: VA examiners opined that the Veteran's back and neck conditions were less likely caused by his in-service injuries due to lack of documentation in STRs and normal spine evaluations during service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disorder (back disability), cervical spine disorder (neck disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2017
- Citation
- 1712004
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 1712004.
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 Veteran's hypertension was granted a 10 percent rating, but no more. The claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, GERD, TMD, and back disability were denied.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder (back disability) as it has been granted. The claims for service connection of a breathing disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include MDD, bipolar, and PTSD are remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disorders are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected left ankle disability, granting service connection for both conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of any disease or injury of the Veteran's cervical spine.
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