The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is service-connected, but his left leg disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The examiner concluded that any left lower extremity complaints were recent and did not predate service, making it less likely than not that the low back abnormalities were incurred during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the low back, Left leg disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 28, 2008
- Citation
- 0829414
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0829414.
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 right foot condition, including pain and functional limitation, is related to service. The Veteran's right leg disability did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's left leg disability also did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection are remanded due to a failure to provide adequate VA examinations and opinions, particularly regarding exposure to burn pits and other toxins (BPOTs) during his service in the Persian Gulf.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the low back and hypertension, as well as SMC based on being housebound. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left leg disabilities, as well as a left ankle disability, all secondary to bilateral hip, knee, and right ankle disabilities. The case is being returned for additional development.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.