The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and hip disability, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating her claims. The Board also found that her current back disability is not related to service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a direct relationship between the Veteran's current back disability and her active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic scoliosis, status post lumbar discectomy for herniated nucleus pulposus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2009
- Citation
- 0929314
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0929314.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for thoracic scoliosis and denied service connection for a left ankle condition.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.