The veteran's currently diagnosed dental disorder, manifested by the loss of all teeth, is not considered disabling for VA compensation purposes as it is due to periodontal disease that occurred many years after separation from military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the veteran's teeth were extracted in 2004, over 30 years after separation from active service, and all competent medical evidence indicates that his currently diagnosed dental disorder is the result of periodontal disease, which is not considered disabling for VA compensation purposes.
- Claimed conditions
- periodontal disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0816033
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.
- Partly granted
The claim for service connection for a dental condition, to include periodontal disease, was reopened based on new and material evidence but not fully granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection of a dental disability for purposes of VA compensation and treatment due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a dental disorder, diagnosed as periodontal disease, for compensation purposes, finding that the Veteran does not have a dental disability subject to service connection.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, and periodontal disease based on new evidence. Tinnitus was also granted service connection. However, right ear hearing loss and a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss were denied.
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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.