The Board found that the Veteran's chronic bilateral lumbar paraspinal muscle strain (claimed as severe back pain) and mild degenerative disc disease did not manifest within one year of service discharge, and is not attributable to service or to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The examiner stated that there was no medical documentation or research to support a direct relationship between the Veteran's current back condition and her service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral lumbar paraspinal muscle strain, mild degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1730237
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 1730237.
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 Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as mild degenerative disc disease due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding causation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities, including IVDS and degenerative disc disease, are rated at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, which is presumed to be related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence to support that his current condition was aggravated by service.
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