The Board found that the veteran's back disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the back disability was more likely related to osteopenia, rather than the right ankle fracture.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disease of the thoracic spine, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, osteopenia with compression fracture deformities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2006
- Citation
- 0609722
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 Veteran's Parkinson's disease, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, dementia, PTSD, and degenerative lumbar spine condition are all granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death is also attributed to the Veteran's Parkinson's disease.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his death.
- Granted
The veteran was granted service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine with a 30 percent disability rating, effective September 25, 2006.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.