The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for service connection and has granted a 40 percent evaluation for bone loss and teeth removal secondary to radiation exposure prior to July 27, 2012.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an earlier effective date due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's condition has resulted in lost masticatory surface that cannot be restored by suitable prosthesis and is evidenced by loss of all the teeth, warranting a 40 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- bone loss, teeth removal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1737172
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 1737172.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear disability, finding that it is etiologically linked to in-service noise exposure. The appeal was successful.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease and chronic periodontal disease (claimed as bone loss) for Class IV dental treatment purposes is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism is found to have caused or aggravated his osteopenia of the left femoral head. The issue of whether it also caused or aggravated his back disability remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.