The Veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis has been reopened and granted. The claim for back disability other than scoliosis is denied, as the current DDD is not related to military service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinion evidence does not show a link between the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease (DDD) and his active military service, including the in-service fall. The probative value of the opinions from Dr. H., L.B., and Dr. B. is undermined by inaccurate facts regarding the Veteran’s medical history.
- Claimed conditions
- scoliosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189292
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 19189292.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a new VA examination and medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an initial disability rating higher than 40 percent for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis with moderate-severe foraminal spinal stenosis and scoliosis to obtain a retrospective medical opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from August 24, 2012, to June 24, 2020.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for scoliosis and found that the reduction in the combined disability rating for bulging discs in the lumbar spine, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and spondylosis from 40 percent to 10 percent was proper.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for compensable ratings for bilateral hallux valgus, as there was no evidence of a current disability or functional impairment.
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.