The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of shin splints, cervical spine disorder, and right ankle strain with instability and subchondral injury were denied. The claim for low back disability was also denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 22, 1999; a rating in excess of 20 percent from February 22, 1999, to January 28, 2003; or a rating in excess of 40 percent as of January 29, 2003. The claim for scar status post excision of pilonidal cyst was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of current disability and no medical nexus established between the in-service shin splints and any current residuals or disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine disorder, residuals of shin splints, low back disability, right ankle strain with instability and subchondral injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0918607
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0918607.
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 has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that side effects from prescribed medications contributed substantially and materially to his accidental motorcycle collision resulting in fatal injuries.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of right shoulder disability and low back disability due to insufficient evidence.
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