The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic thoracolumbar strain, thoracogenic scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease (claimed as lumbar back pain) and a skin condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic thoracolumbar strain, thoracogenic scoliosis, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18134203
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 18134203.
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 Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for chronic left ankle sprain, right ankle strain, and thoracolumbar strain are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the prior examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions, including chronic thoracolumbar strain, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, traumatic brain injury with vertigo, and others.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for both the disability rating and service connection claims has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected thoracolumbar strain.
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