The Board found that the Veteran's back disability existed prior to his service and was not aggravated by it. The claim for secondary service connection for substance abuse was denied as primary substance abuse is not a disability for which service connection may be granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's spondylosis and spondylothesis were found to have existed prior to his entry into active service and were not aggravated by any injury during service. His current back disability is attributed to a motor vehicle accident after service, which the Board concluded did not warrant secondary service connection for substance abuse.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis, spondylothesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0933832
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 0933832.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and an incomplete record of chiropractic care. The Veteran is requested to provide or authorize VA to obtain his treatment records from chiropractors, and an addendum opinion will be provided by a VA examiner.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine discogenic disease status post surgery, spondylosis, and facet arthropathy as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The SMC claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as spondylosis and sacroiliitis with degenerative changes, had its onset during his period of INACDUTRA. As such, service connection is granted.
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