The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back syndrome with intermittent lumbosacral strain does not currently manifest in any symptoms and is attributed to nonservice-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine. As a result, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current symptomatology was medically distinguishable from his service-connected back disability and related to his nonservice-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back syndrome with intermittent lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1712661
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 1712661.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected chronic low back syndrome with intermittent lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic low back syndrome with intermittent lumbosacral strain, finding that the current disability is not related to his service-connected condition and is instead due to a work-related injury.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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