The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied in 1990 due to the condition preexisting his military service. The claim was reopened and granted in January 2013, but an earlier effective date is denied as there were no new service department records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the grant of service connection was not based on new service department records, which would allow for a prior effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2018
- Citation
- 18106882
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 18106882.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates of July 7, 2017, for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal for an earlier effective date of July 7, 2017, for the 40% rating for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted with an effective date of July 7, 2017. Appeals for earlier effective dates of October 23, 2017, for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
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