The Board found that the Veteran did not exhibit a back condition, to include degenerative arthritis, in service or within one year after discharge from service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic back disability present during service or within one year thereafter, and the Veteran's current condition does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange or other specified conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2014
- Citation
- 1417846
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 1417846.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the back and a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches prior to May 3, 2024, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a back disorder and right ear hearing loss, but denied an increased rating for tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the back and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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