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Denied

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, including loss of numerous teeth during active duty and subsequent treatment with full dentures, has been denied as the evidence does not support an allowance of service-connected compensation benefits. The criteria for nonservice-connected compensation benefits have also not been met.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's missing teeth were noted at entry into service but did not meet the legal criteria for service connection due to lack of trauma or disease, and there is no evidence that any improper treatment was administered during service. Additionally, the extractions performed in October 1959 occurred within the first 180 days after the Veteran entered his second period of active duty, which does not satisfy the legal criteria for service connection for dental treatment purposes.

Claimed conditions
{"condition_code":"missing_teeth"}
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
December 6, 2011
Citation
1144510

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 1144510.

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