The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for residuals of a perforation of the right tympanic membrane, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: There was no medical evidence showing that the veteran's current cervical spine or ear disabilities were related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of the cervical spine, perforation of the right tympanic membrane
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2008
- Citation
- 0840747
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0840747.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for perforation of the right tympanic membrane. The issues of service connection for lung cancer, bone cancer, and cause of death are remanded due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected back disorder, as his other disabilities did not contribute to his unemployability prior to September 13, 2018.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's perforated tympanic membrane. A new or addendum medical opinion is required from a qualified examiner, specifically an otolaryngologist.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck injury residuals, including his degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine. The claim was based on continuity of symptoms since service.
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.