The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, right knee disability, and residuals of traumatic brain injury have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim for low back pain. For the other conditions, there is no indication of a direct link between the current disabilities and service.,The Veteran's TBI resulted in persistent tension headaches which were rated non-compensable. The Veteran failed to appear at a scheduled VA examination, leading to denial of his request for an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish that any of the conditions are related to service.,The Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to support a higher rating for his TBI-related headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back pain, Right knee disability, Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19173626
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 19173626.
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: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current diagnosis of right knee strain is related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for eligibility in the PCAFC program due to insufficient evidence showing a need for personal care services, and thus denied the appeal.
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