The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, found that the veteran's left thigh scars did not warrant an increased rating, and granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for injury to Muscle Group XIV.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record was insufficient to establish a link between the veteran's current low back condition and his military service or any service-connected disability. The scars on the left thigh were found to be well-healed with no functional impairment, while muscle group XIV was determined to have moderate disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2008
- Citation
- 0813854
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 service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding a positive nexus to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of proposed rating reductions for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, due to procedural defects in the Veteran's notice of disagreement. The issue regarding a compensable rating for migraine headaches was remanded.
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