The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability and arthritis did not have its onset during service, nor is there evidence of a relationship between his in-service injury and his current conditions. The preponderance of the evidence does not support granting service connection for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided an opinion stating that the Veteran's current low back disorder was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the in-service injury, as evidenced by the normal separation examination findings and lack of continuity of symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disorder with associated radiculopathy and sciatica, lumbosacral arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 4, 2017
- Citation
- 1714876
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 1714876.
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 Board denied service connection for lumbosacral arthritis, finding the evidence did not support a link to service. Service connection was granted for hernia, with the condition first identified after separation from service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims for bilateral hand, hip, knee, and lumbosacral arthritis to provide further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from December 6, 2023.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for lumbosacral arthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's records, including his military history and treatment records, need to be obtained to determine if his back pain is related to service.
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