The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, as the evidence did not show current disability related to service. The Veteran's statements were considered but no reliable post-service confirmation of any such disability was provided.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records showed complaints of back pain in service and normal findings on examination at separation. No current disability was found on VA examination or subsequent outpatient records.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2011
- Citation
- 1144504
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1144504.
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 Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, a gastrointestinal disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and a thoracic spine disorder. The effective date for increased evaluations and new grants of service connection were also denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for herpes genitalia and remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracic spine disorder.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disorder and remanded several other claims, including those for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headache, hypertension, cervical spine, thoracic spine, shin splints, foot disorders, and tinnitus.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and remanded claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and thoracic spine disorder.
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