The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, which he asserts was caused or aggravated by service. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion addressing the Veteran's claimed injuries and in-service diagnosis of a chronic lumbosacral strain.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his military service, specifically due to carrying heavy loads and falling into a booby trap during combat in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- Congenital scoliosis, Partial spina bifida of S1, Hemisegment of S1 on the right, Left lateral scoliosis of the lumbar spine, Asymmetry of the facets at L5-S1, Widening of the right sacroiliac joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1726131
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 1726131.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's preexisting scoliosis is considered, and any diagnosed back disabilities are being evaluated in relation to active service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered a supplemental opinion to address whether the Veteran's currently service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and if so, whether it was caused by any other service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for congenital scoliosis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board is now considering whether there was aggravation during service or if the condition preexisted service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, finding that his current low back disability was not directly related to any event or injury in service.
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.