The Veteran's pre-existing thoracic scoliosis increased in severity beyond its natural progress during his active military service, resulting in chronic symptoms of thoracic back pain.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion by VA's reviewing physician stated that it is highly likely that the Veteran's thoracic scoliosis was aggravated by the conditions of his military service, leading to chronic symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic scoliosis
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2009
- Citation
- 0911506
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for thoracic scoliosis and denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral restless leg syndrome, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left index finger with limitation of motion and lacerated digital nerve, an initial compensable rating for left index finger scar, a separate rating for painful scar of the left index finger, evaluated as 10 percent disabling as of August 26, 2015, and an initial compensable rating prior to March 12, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for dermatitis.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for thoracic scoliosis, as new and material evidence was not received.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracic scoliosis was denied, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as lumbar spondylolisthesis, was also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion on whether plantar fasciitis was aggravated by active duty training.
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