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Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for hernia residuals with scarring was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by VA examiners found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's diagnosed conditions to his military service, including his hernia residuals. The Veteran's claims were denied based on lack of nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

Claimed conditions
diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
January 17, 2023
Citation
23002774

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 23002774.

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.

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