The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the applicable presumptive period.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's current DDD did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service or within one year after discharge. The Board also noted inconsistencies between the Veteran's statements and medical records regarding the onset of his disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20071926
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected impairment of the left knee with arthritis and impairment of the right knee with arthritis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy impacting both lower extremities on a secondary basis to the back disability, and right knee degenerative arthritis.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and scoliosis of the thoracic spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability as further development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
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