The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of a relationship between his claimed conditions and military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show a relationship between the veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, nor was there sufficient evidence to support higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, Migraine headaches, Pseudofolliculitis barbae, Depression, Memory loss secondary to head trauma, Left foot condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2009
- Citation
- 0903509
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 Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and personality disorder, due to the need for further development of the record.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.