The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of cervical, thoracic, and sacral spine degenerative disc disease. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 40% from August 6, 1996 to May 13, 1999, and at 60% thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's cervical, thoracic, or sacral spine degenerative disc disease was incurred in service or related to his service-connected lumbar pathology. The Board also found no basis for increased ratings under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative disc disease of the sacral spine, Degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2003
- Citation
- 0308918
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 0308918.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left shoulder strain, and osteoarthritis of the left hip status post left hip replacement based on a nexus to the Veteran's military service as a Navy SEAL.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as secondary to a service-connected lower back disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's back disabilities, specifically addressing functional loss during flare-ups and with repeated use over time.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and carpal tunnel syndrome based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.
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