The Board denied service connection for fatty liver due to hydrazine exposure, chronic degenerative joint disease of the spine with disc degeneration claimed as lumbago and back pain, and major depression.
The deciding factor: There was no medical evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to his military service or any in-service injuries. The fatty liver condition was found to be benign and possibly related to other factors such as obesity, while the back and mental health issues were not shown to have a direct connection to his active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- fatty liver due to hydrazine exposure, chronic degenerative joint disease of the spine with disc degeneration claimed as lumbago and back pain, major depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2009
- Citation
- 0902019
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for major depression, personality disorder, and severe anxiety due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as major depression and schizophrenia, due to new evidence being submitted after the prior final denial.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right shoulder disability (recurrent dislocation), insomnia, major depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, it granted restoration of a 10 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease, lumbosacral strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was granted from May 20, 2016. The Board also remanded the claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome.
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