The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed thoracic spine condition and that any current thoracic strain is not related to service. The claim for service connection for thoracic strain is denied.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of a chronic thoracic spine pathology during or after service, and the Board finds that any current thoracic strain is not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0930983
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 0930983.
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 Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, thoracic strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia patella, left knee degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia patella, left ankle ganglion cyst and ruptured saphenous vein, and left great toe matrixectomy with a left medial foot scar. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for genital herpes is denied as the highest schedular rating of 60% has been achieved. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also denied due to the presence of other service-connected conditions and the fact that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a combined 100% disability rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including scoliosis and thoracic strain. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected ankle, foot, or shin splint conditions are at least as likely as not (at least approximately balanced or nearly equal) due to or the result of her back disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for thoracic strain, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service and was more likely related to post-service treatment.
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