The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a chronic back disability is denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date was August 3, 2010, as this represents the date of receipt of his application to reopen and the date entitlement arose.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service medical records were available at the time of the original denial in September 2004. The AOJ denied the claim due to lack of evidence of continuous symptoms after separation from military service. A subsequent VA medical opinion provided a nexus between the Veteran's in-service back injury and his current chronic disability, leading to the grant of service connection effective August 3, 2010.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated disc, chronic back condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 4, 2018
- Citation
- 1826982
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 1826982.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Granted
The Veteran's chronic back condition is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it was incurred in service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's child is not eligible for VA benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for spina bifida because the evidence does not support a diagnosis of this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's back disability, including back strain and herniated disc, is related to his military service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, and multi-level spondylosis. The Board found that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.