The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, and that hypertension (claimed as high cholesterol and high triglycerides) is not shown by the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not submit sufficient new and material evidence to reopen his service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine. The Board also found no evidence of a current disability related to hypertension (claimed as high cholesterol and high triglycerides).
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Hypertension (claimed as high cholesterol and high triglycerides), Bilateral blindness, Acquired psychiatric disorder, Traumatic brain injury
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1751413
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 1751413.
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 degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no nexus between the current disability and active duty service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether injuries sustained in a November 2001 incident were in the line of duty. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded due to its interdependence with the line of duty issue.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.
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