The veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation were denied. The RO awarded a 40 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, separate ratings of 20 percent for varicose veins of each lower extremity, and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
The deciding factor: The veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Lower Extremity, Varicose Veins of the Left Lower Extremity, Varicose Veins of the Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 4, 2006
- Citation
- 0637653
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 0637653.
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 service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's GERD was granted a 60 percent disability rating, and the June 15, 2020 VA Form 10182 for service connection claims was accepted as timely due to good cause shown.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy (chronic kidney disease), peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities, varicose veins (PVD) of the right and left leg, and degenerative arthritis as there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis or that these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to further development needed.
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