The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 22, 2000 and a higher initial rating for CREST syndrome.
The deciding factor: The revised criteria did not apply retroactively as they only affect prospective benefits. The medical evidence did not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- CREST syndrome
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2007
- Citation
- 0734753
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0734753.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for Raynaud’s disease, scleroderma and CREST syndrome were denied as there was no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's scleroderma. The case is being returned for a VA examination with an opinion on whether the Veteran’s scleroderma was caused by his military service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's scleroderma is related to his in-service exposure to benzenes, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the Appellant did not meet eligibility criteria for death pension or burial benefits.
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