The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current gum disease or dental disability due to dental trauma during active military service and denied his claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examination did not find any evidence of a dental disability related to the 1994 injury, and noted that periodontal disease is caused by poor oral hygiene and smoking rather than military service or trauma.
- Claimed conditions
- gum deterioration, periodontal disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2015
- Citation
- 1518497
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1518497.
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: Granted
The Veteran's periodontal disease is service-connected for treatment purposes only, given his current 100% schedular evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder (periodontal disease) as there was no new and relevant evidence received since the June 2019 rating decision to support her claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to need regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot.
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