The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic arthritic condition during or within one year after service. The Veteran's current diagnosis was not shown until over four decades later.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was also denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service and no continuity of symptomatology since service.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic arthritic condition during or within one year after service, and his current diagnosis was not shown until over four decades later. The absence of treatment records for decades post-service further supports this finding.,There is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in service, and there is no continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's contention that he experienced pain beginning in the 1970s does not support a finding of early onset.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the thoracolumbar spine, Peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

April 29, 2019

Citation

19133106

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 19133106.