The Board denied service connection for a spine disorder and denied entitlement to TDIU based on the lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service, including any presumptive exposure. The Veteran's back pain was found to have started in December 1971, well after his military service.
The deciding factor: Medical records did not document any significant low back injuries during active duty and the onset of chronic back pain is dated from 1971, more than a decade post-service.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal Degenerative Disc Disease, Bilateral Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 3, 2014
- Citation
- 1439216
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 1439216.
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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- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic nephropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.
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