The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his umbilical herniorrhaphy scar was denied, and the claims to reopen service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right hands were also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the veteran's umbilical herniorrhaphy scar warranted a compensable rating or that new and material evidence had been received to reopen his claims for service connection for the other conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- umbilical herniorrhaphy scar, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right hands
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0903272
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 claim for service connection for blood clots to afford the Veteran a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition, as he has a history of lower extremity blood clots and participated in toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease, emphysema, muscle cramps, bilateral shoulder disability, and neck disability. However, it granted service connection for peripheral vascular disease and asthma.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his active military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertension, an increased rating for a stroke and stroke residuals, and an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.
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