The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back and also denied his increased rating claims for Haglund's deformity of the bilateral feet. The Veteran was presumed sound at entry into service, but he did not have a current diagnosis of a low back disorder or Haglund's deformity.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish that the Veteran had a current disability and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition existed prior to service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the low back
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 28, 2012
- Citation
- 1240536
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1240536.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The issues include bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, left knee septic condition as secondary to bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, acquired psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis of the lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of the low back, and jaw/speech impairment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severance of service connection for radiculopathy and ratings for back strain and knee conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's low back condition, bilateral knee disability, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been established for degenerative disc disease of the low back, a meniscal tear with degenerative changes in bilateral knees, an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the right knee, and PTSD.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims for service connection as they are related to his death. The appeals were not about exposure to herbicides or any other specific conditions.
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