The veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical low back strain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and stuttering were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine was within the criteria for a 10 percent rating, and there was no evidence of severe incomplete paralysis of the tongue to warrant a higher rating for stuttering.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical low back strain, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Stuttering
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2008
- Citation
- 0811388
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran before the Board promulgated a decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 5, 2018, for the award of service connection for PTSD and denied earlier effective dates for erectile dysfunction, left ear hearing loss, migraines, and other conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot crush injury, and sciatic radiculopathy of both lower extremities, also secondary to the newly service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome, but granted separate initial 10 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity restless leg syndrome associated with sciatic radiculopathy. The claims for increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied, as were the claims for higher ratings for knee conditions and IBS.
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.