The Board found that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar back disability is not etiologically related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner stated there was no objective evidence linking the current thoracolumbar back disability to service, including the in-service assault. The Veteran’s reported history of continuing symptoms since service and chiropractic treatment after separation from service were deemed unreliable by the Board.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2015
- Citation
- 1534526
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 1534526.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for chronic sinusitis and remanded the claims of service connection for chronic allergies and thoracolumbar back disability due to insufficient evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for asthma secondary to the Veteran's service-connected rhinitis. The claims for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar back disability, and sciatica are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has deferred the decision on entitlement to additional VA compensation for a dependent spouse pending the assignment of an initial disability evaluation for the low back disability and the adjudication of the TDIU claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, a bilateral knee disability, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine scoliosis is considered a developmental disease for VA purposes; it manifested in service and is etiologically related to service.
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