The Board found that the Veteran's current spondylosis deformans and slight levoscoliosis of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not causally related to service, including an in-service back numbness complaint. The condition is considered a direct result of the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the current low back disability was less likely than not due to or a result of the August 1982 report of back numbness in service, which occurred in the thoracic spine and not the lumbar spine where the currently diagnosed condition is located.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis deformans, slight levoscoliosis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1707566
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 1707566.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for cervicalgia, spondylosis deformans, and degenerative disc disease, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks service connection for spondylosis deformans and arthritis of the back. The VA examiner found no evidence that these conditions are related to his in-service injury, but additional medical records may provide a different opinion.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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