The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, and degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar from December 8, 2006.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes at any point during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2008
- Citation
- 0809752
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for SMC at the R-1 or R-2 level due to outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records, as well as a need for further development of the referred issue regarding SMC at the L level based on loss of use of the left and right feet.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine as they are not attributable to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal was remanded for the veteran to be scheduled for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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