The Board denied service connection for headaches, a right arm disability, and a low back disability as they were not related to the veteran's active duty or any service-connected condition. The claims for increased ratings for epicondylitis of the left elbow, pes cavus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus of the right foot, and Morton's neuroma with pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus of the left foot were also denied.
The deciding factor: The current disabilities were not related to an injury, disease, or event in service or to a service-connected disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronicity during service or continuity of symptomatology since service for any of the claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches, right arm disability (arthritis of the right shoulder), low back disability (arthritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2008
- Citation
- 0815891
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 granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
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