The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain with spondylosis was denied in a March 1974 rating decision and again in a September 1985 Board decision. The most recent denial is considered final, as the Veteran did not appeal it. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.
The deciding factor: The new evidence does not provide any information that can be interpreted as a new opinion that his period of active duty aggravated his back condition.
- Claimed conditions
- low back pain with spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18147219
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 18147219.
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 Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back pain with spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation training.
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