The Board denied service connection for degenerative disk disease as it was not related to the Veteran's active service.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a direct link between the Veteran's back condition and his military service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. The first diagnosis of degenerative disk disease occurred approximately 21 years after separation from service, with no continuity of symptoms shown during that period.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disk disease, status post hemi-laminectomy & discectomy at the L4-L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0908623
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
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