The Board found that the Veteran's low back sprain preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. The degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine status post laminectomy with spinal stenosis is not related to service, and scoliosis is related to service. The right leg disability is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.
The deciding factor: The preexisting low back sprain was found to have existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back sprain, Degenerative disc disease status post laminectomy with spinal stenosis, Scoliosis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1706912
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 1706912.
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 determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his conditions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to his valid opt-in of specific issues into the modernized review system.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection was granted for scoliosis, with the condition aggravated during service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis, but remanded the other issues.
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