The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorders, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any superimposed injury during service resulted in an additional disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's developmental defect of scoliosis was not subject to a superimposed disease or injury resulting in an additional disability, and his other back disorders were consistent with age. The examiner also found no direct relationship between the Veteran's current back disorders and service, including injuries during basic training.
- Claimed conditions
- back disorder, degenerative disc disease, mild degenerative changes in the facet joints of the lower lumbar spine, degenerative disc changes at L5/S1, marginal osteophytes from L4 to S1, scoliosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1744931
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 1744931.
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 remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes mellitus due to errors in development of the claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a failure to provide notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
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