The Board denied service connection for numbness in the chest, back, armpits, upper shoulder, left leg, and neck as well as inability to sweat on the left arm, left side of head, and left side of chest. The veteran was also denied an increased rating for residuals of decompression laminectomy of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and thoracic spine.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of numbness or inability to sweat in the specified areas, nor did it establish a link between these symptoms and service. The veteran's spinal conditions were rated based on their functional impact but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- numbness in the chest, back, armpits, upper shoulder, left leg, and neck, inability to sweat on the left arm, left side of head, and left side of chest
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2008
- Citation
- 0815318
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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