The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability, to include congenital scoliosis of the thoracic spine, degenerative disc disease of the mid-thoracic spine, and spondylosis of L4, is not related to active service. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current back disability was noted during service but no chronic condition was diagnosed or treated. The evidence does not support a finding that the current disability is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Congenital scoliosis of the thoracic spine, Degenerative disc disease of the mid-thoracic spine, Spondylosis of L4
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2016
- Citation
- 1621873
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 1621873.
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 Veteran's thoracic spine disability was granted an initial increased rating of 20 percent, effective July 14, 2003. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's congenital scoliosis of the thoracic spine is a direct result of her service, and thus service connection is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's current mid-back and neck disabilities are not related to his military service, including any injuries sustained during a mine explosion in Vietnam. The preponderance of evidence does not support granting service connection for these conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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