The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of acquired thoracolumbar spine arthritis and degenerative disc disease are not etiologically related to or attributable to service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Congenital Klippel-Feil Syndrome with Scoliosis of the Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbosacral Spine, Acquired Thoracolumbar Spine Arthritis and Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 21, 2023
- Citation
- 23040104
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 23040104.
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: Dismissed
The appeals for service connection of the right elbow disorder, right knee disorder, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and bilateral tinea pedis have been dismissed.,The application to reopen the finally disallowed claims of service connection for a bilateral hip disorder (Legg-Perthes disease) and lumbar spondylolisthesis has been granted. The appeals for these conditions are remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated as non-compensable prior to April 16, 2012. Beginning September 18, 2014, the disability is rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity neurologic symptoms, and depressive disorder have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the time period from September 30, 2002 to July 29, 2008.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar spondylolisthesis and a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective from the date of the initial decision.
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