The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and right leg disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service. The diagnoses provided by VA examiners were inconsistent with the preexisting condition determinations made at service entrance.
The deciding factor: There was no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's current low back and right leg disabilities are related to a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no chronicity of symptoms during or within one year after service. The preexisting condition determinations made at service entrance were inconsistent with the Veteran's testimony regarding his injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back degenerative disc disease, Spondylolisthesis, Facet arthropathy, Piriformis syndrome, Radiculopathy in the right leg, Right knee osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2017
- Citation
- 1725085
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 1725085.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee instability is granted, with a 30 percent rating. The claims for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis (flexion) and left hip strain, osteoarthritis and bursitis based on painful motion are denied. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle osteoarthritis is also denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that his current disabilities are more likely related to an in-service injury than to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this disability.
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