The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's current diagnoses were attributed to known clinical diagnoses.
The deciding factor: There is no objective evidence of a chronic disability during service, and medical opinions do not link the current disabilities to service or exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19104165
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD, left wrist sprain, right knee strain, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder was denied.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for cervical strain with degenerative disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was dismissed as it was not timely filed.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is granted, as he requires regular assistance with dressing, keeping himself clean and presentable, and attending to his bodily needs due to service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinea capitis, hypertension, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine but denied service connection for sinusitis and urinary tract infections. The claims for PTSD, hearing loss, chest pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right knee condition were remanded.
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