The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's thoracic spine disability, specifically whether it is a congenital defect or disease.
The deciding factor: A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran’s scoliosis is a congenital defect or disease that may have been aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- scoliosis of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20058036
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 20058036.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's pre-existing scoliosis disability was aggravated during service, and the Board has granted her claim for service connection based on aggravation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability, including whether his scoliosis is a congenital defect or disease. The case is being remanded for further examination and review.
- Denied
The Veteran's thoracic spine disability has resulted in painful limitation of motion but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected scoliosis of the thoracic spine.
- Granted
The Veteran's scoliosis of the thoracic spine and adjustment disorder with chronic depressive mood are granted service connection due to aggravation by a service-connected back disability. Headaches are remanded for further evaluation.
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