Service connection for DDD of the lumbosacral spine was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of DDD is not shown to be related to his active duty service.,Bipolar I disorder with moderate mania and limitation of flexion, extension, and abduction of the left hip were granted effective January 30, 2014, as these conditions are considered directly related to his service. The Veteran's earlier claims for these conditions have been denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a direct link between the Veteran’s current DDD and his active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, Bipolar I disorder with moderate mania, Femoral acetabular impingement of the left hip, Limitation of flexion, extension, and abduction of the left hip
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19164681
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 19164681.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the propriety of the reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent disabling, effective May 18, 2021, for service-connected degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, left shoulder, left wrist, and left ankle disabilities, as well as his gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with duodenitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit private medical evidence, and schedule appropriate examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability has not been productive of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, and therefore, the claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine is at least as likely as not incurred in active service.
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