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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2009
- Citation
- 0911506
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,454 · Granted: 23% (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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0911506.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for thoracic scoliosis and denied service connection for a left ankle condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for atopic dermatitis, degenerative changes spine and thoracic scoliosis, and migraines due to duty-to-assist errors in prior VA medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete or conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability. The VA must obtain a new opinion addressing all diagnosed spine disabilities, their likely causes, and whether they are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for thoracic scoliosis as new and material evidence was not presented, and the condition is considered to have pre-existed his service.
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