The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, all cervical and left upper extremity disorders however diagnosed, and an increased rating for a cervical spine disorder characterized as cervical arthralgia with possible C-1-C2 articular surface narrowing.
The deciding factor: The veteran failed to show for scheduled VA examinations without good cause, resulting in the denial of his claims due to lack of cooperation and failure to provide necessary evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- multiple sclerosis, all cervical and left upper extremity disorders however diagnosed
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 30, 2004
- Citation
- 0434473
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 0434473.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for contact dermatitis, multiple sclerosis, and eye disorder due to lack of current diagnoses. The claims are remanded as there were pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the original decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, alcohol and cocaine abuse disorder, and multiple sclerosis are all granted. The claim for multiple sclerosis is based on a current diagnosis within the 7-year presumptive period after separation from service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the July 1, 2020, VA Form 9 was timely filed and thus grants the appeal for the evaluation of service-connected PTSD, total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and service connection for erectile dysfunction, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for service-connected migraine headaches and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected multiple sclerosis have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.