The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine as there was no evidence of an in-service back injury and the condition first appeared many years after discharge from service.
The deciding factor: The lack of evidence showing a back injury during service, combined with the absence of any complaints or treatment for DDD of the lumbar spine until this decade, led to the denial of the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2008
- Citation
- 0816556
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 Board granted service connection for several conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, but denied increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and other conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to June 7, 2024. The appeal was remanded for other issues.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a higher rating of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine was dismissed because the veteran already received a 40% rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as her service-connected conditions do not significantly impact her ability to perform functions of self-care.
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