The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection claims related to his acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. His cervical spine and right thumb disabilities were evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria for these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, bipolar disorder, mood swings, and a nervous disorder), Low back disorder, Bilateral knee disability, Bilateral foot disability, Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Subluxation of the right thumb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1717246
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 1717246.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no nexus between the current disability and active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
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