The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The Board also denied service connection for hypertension, concluding there was no evidence of onset or relationship with service including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence showing initial manifestations within a year of separation from service and the Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after discharge.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current low back disability is not related to in-service events or conditions, and that it did not manifest during service. The Board also noted that there was no evidence showing initial manifestations of hypertension within a year of separation from service.,Service connection for hypertension could not be established on a presumptive basis as hypertension is not one of the enumerated diseases associated with presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Additionally, there was no evidence showing onset or relationship between hypertension and service including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18129398
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 18129398.
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 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: Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
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