The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and scoliosis, lung disorder to include COPD with bronchitis and dead scar tissue on lungs, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's preexisting low back disability was aggravated by service or that his lung disorder was related to service exposure. The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation for the low back condition and no direct link between the lung disorder and service, including exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and scoliosis, lung disorder to include COPD with bronchitis and dead scar tissue on lungs, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 27, 2025
- Citation
- 25008537
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
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- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for asthma but denied all other claims, including service connection for various conditions and a compensable rating for scars between the scapulae.
- Partly granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 70 percent for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, 60 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and 30 percent each for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (femoral and sciatic nerves), while denying an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and granting a 10 percent rating for chloracne of the face, arms, and back prior to September 27, 2018.
- Denied
The Board denied higher ratings for the service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities both prior to and from May 25, 1999.
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