The Board has vacated the portion of the August 2017 Board decision denying service connection for a back disorder and reviews the claim de novo. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection as her current back disorder did not manifest within one year of separation from service, continuity since separation was not established, and it is less likely than not that the disability is proximately due to or aggravated by a previously service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence and a current back disorder, nor did it manifest within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's back disorder was more likely than not due to the aging process and elevated body mass index.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2018
- Citation
- 1819250
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 1819250.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining medical records and for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, but his right ear hearing loss and back disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for a back disorder as new and relevant evidence was not received, despite previous denials.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining service records and providing an adequate examination. The Veteran's back disorder claim will be reconsidered with these issues addressed.
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