The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as his radiculopathy of the lower extremities, are not related to his active service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 5, 2008
- Citation
- 0841991
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 0841991.
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 service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathies aided in his death from traumatic asphyxia caused by a fence falling on him. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and home adaptations are remanded due to the need for current medical examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected back disability and associated radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the October 2020 rating decision, resulting in the dismissal of all pending claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment. The Veteran is service-connected for several disabilities, but none are directly related to his request for benefits.
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.