The Board finds that there is no evidence of a relationship between the claimed HIV related illness, depression, hepatitis C, ulcers, lung condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine and service. The conditions are not shown in service or soon after service.,The Board also finds that there is no evidence of a relationship between HIV related illness and depression, hepatitis C, ulcers, lung condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient competent medical evidence to establish a link between service and the claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- HIV related illness, depression, hepatitis C, ulcers, lung condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2007
- Citation
- 0708539
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 0708539.
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 expanded the scope of the claim for major depression to encompass any mental health disability raised by the record and has remanded six issues for additional development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
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