The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and drug and alcohol dependency as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder or drug and alcohol dependency to his time in service. The first post-service complaints for a back condition are documented about three years after service and relate to a non-service injury, while there was no evidence of alcohol dependence during service.
- Claimed conditions
- back disorder, drug and alcohol dependency
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0902601
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and remanded several other issues, including service connection for various disorders and increased ratings for the right knee. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, back disorder, and neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case for further development and verification of any additional periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.
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