The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for gum disease, including periodontitis and periodontal disease not otherwise specified, is denied as these conditions are not considered disabilities for which VA compensation benefits can be granted. The veteran failed to report for a second VA examination without good cause.
The deciding factor: The law changed during the pendency of this claim to restrict recognition of periodontitis and periodontal disease not otherwise specified to being service-connected only for the purpose of VA treatment, but the evidence does not show any diagnosis or connection to active service.
- Claimed conditions
- gingivitis, periodontitis, periodontal disease not otherwise specified
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2004
- Citation
- 0434334
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0434334.
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 Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gingivitis as there is no evidence of a compensable dental disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition, including loss of adult teeth and failing dentition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for allergies, a back disability, gingivitis, a nerve disability, and a sinus disability has been withdrawn.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current unspecified depressive disorder is related to her active service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including right knee disability, left knee injury, arthritis, chest scar, blurred vision, high blood pressure, and shoulder injuries. The decision does not address dental scars or provide a rating assigned.
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.