The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his service, including a plane crash during active duty. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current arthritis of the spine was caused by or related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence in the medical records supporting a link between the Veteran's in-service plane crash and his current back disorder, concluding instead that the condition is more likely due to age-related degenerative changes.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1740980
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1740980.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected back disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus do not show a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable prior to January 27, 2022. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for arthritis of the spine, finding that new and material evidence supports a link between her current condition and her military service. The Board also found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding the relationship between her low back disability and service.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Arthritis of the spine was not exhibited within the first post-service year, thus it could not be presumed to have been incurred therein.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for PTSD, service connection for diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of the neck, spine, knees, and hands is dismissed as his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has already been granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.