The Veteran's broken teeth and degenerative disc disease L4-5 and L5-S1 were not service-connected, and the rating for his degenerative disc disease was denied. The issue of a separate evaluation for neurological impairment related to his back disability is remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support that the Veteran's broken teeth or degenerative disc disease were caused by his service or service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- broken teeth, degenerative disc disease L4-5 and L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19119165
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,549 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19119165.
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 Board granted service connection for a dental disability for treatment purposes due to the Veteran's individual unemployability rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for low back disability, broken teeth, scar to chin, and infection, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for broken teeth and temporomandibular joint arthritis were dismissed. The appeal for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD was remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental issue, residuals of broken teeth, for compensation purposes is denied. The Board has also remanded the claim for service connection for a dental issue, residuals of broken teeth, for treatment purposes.
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