The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome. The appellant's preexisting scoliosis was found to have clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and not been aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the appellant's preexisting thoracolumbar spine scoliosis did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to be aggravated during service, and there is no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine scoliosis, Thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, Cervical spine degenerative disc disease, Left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, Right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23067415
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 23067415.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied by the Board. The evidence does not support a finding of severe incomplete paralysis, leading to a rating higher than 40 percent for the right hand or 30 percent for the left hand.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for a groin condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they were received more than one year after her intent to file a claim, and no good cause extension was requested.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.