The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and residuals of a chest contusion were not incurred or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: VA medical experts concluded that the current diagnoses (degenerative changes, lumbar spondylosis, and DISH) were part of the normal aging process of the spine, irrespective of past activity or history of trauma.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine disability, Residuals of a chest contusion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2015
- Citation
- 1509477
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 1509477.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, upper extremity neurological, and lower extremity neurological disabilities due to inadequate VA medical examinations in March 2019 and January-May 2016. The new examinations must consider the Veteran's reported onset dates for his symptoms.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted based on the evidence provided.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability and left hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The claims will be reconsidered with new medical opinions.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to an increased rating for this condition.
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.