The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacrococcygeal area/coccydynia. The issue of dysthymic disorder as secondary to tinnitus remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no evidence of a chronic back disability during service and thus denied the claim for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacrococcygeal area/coccydynia, Dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2008
- Citation
- 0809027
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 0809027.
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
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Denied
The Veteran's SMC claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable provisions, including those related to service-connected disabilities and regular aid and attendance need.
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