The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar-spine disorder, increased disability evaluation for left-lower-extremity varicose veins, and PTSD with insomnia have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection for the lumbar-spine disorder, as it was less likely than not caused by or aggravated by service-connected left-lower-extremity varicose veins. For the other conditions, there was no evidence of chronic disease within one year post-service and no showing of aggravation.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's lumbar-spine disorder is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by service-connected left-lower-extremity varicose veins. The record did not show any specific injury during service, nor was there evidence of treatment for a back condition until after separation from active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar-spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2020
- Citation
- A20015661
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,642 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A20015661.
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 lumbar spine disorder, with degenerative-spine disease and IVDS, is granted an initial disability evaluation of 40 percent prior to March 15, 2021.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are also granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for right-knee disorder, left-knee disorder, cervical-spine disorder, thoracic-spine disorder, and lumbar-spine disorder. The gastrointestinal disorder claim remains denied as there is no evidence supporting its service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar-spine disorder, right-knee conditions, and left-knee total right-knee replacement due to insufficient examination findings.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be considered and the claims are being remanded for further review.
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