The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The dental disability claim for compensation purposes was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for a dental condition due to an undiagnosed illness or exposure to chemicals in the Persian Gulf War.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2016
- Citation
- 1647126
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 1647126.
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 claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis was granted, receiving an initial disability rating of 40 percent. The other service connection claims were denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The appellant is granted SMC(o) and SMC(r)(1) based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, glaucoma, foot drop conditions, sleep apnea, migraines, overactive bladder, and various musculoskeletal issues. He does not qualify for higher rates due to the anatomical loss or use of extremities.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the evaluation of lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted, while other claims were remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and service connection for a right elbow disorder.
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