The Board denied increased disability ratings for varicose veins of the lower extremities, pes planus, and low back pain due to failure to appear for VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations necessary to determine the current severity of his conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- varicose veins, pes planus, low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 21, 2006
- Citation
- 0608153
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back, right ring finger, and left foot hallux valgus disabilities but granted an initial 30 percent rating for pes planus from August 17, 2021, a 50 percent rating for pes planus from December 15, 2023, and a separate 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis from August 17, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a left foot disability to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate October 2024 VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a neck condition, plantar fasciitis, left ankle condition, and varicose veins to ensure that VA's duty to assist is followed and that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection and initial ratings were dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) being filed more than one year after the November 2022 rating decision.
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