The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability did not result from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not that the Veteran's back condition was caused by a strain during military service, as evidenced by the fact that he engaged in heavy labor work post-service without further issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes, lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1720713
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 1720713.
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 claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disorders are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative changes, lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Northern Rockies Neurosurgeons and requesting an addendum VA medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including locating missing service treatment records and obtaining medical opinions.
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