The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acid reflux disease, and a compensable rating for pes planus. The veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the current evidence.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's pes planus was stable with orthotics and did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJ), Acid Reflux Disease, Pes Planus (Flat Feet and Pronated Feet and Ankles)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2008
- Citation
- 0840874
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 0840874.
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 remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete reviews of his medical records and failure to verify stressor events. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or undergo further examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TMJ, residuals of stroke, and gastrointestinal disability to include acid reflux as secondary to service-connected anxiety due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, upper back, right knee, sleep, bilateral foot, hearing loss (left ear), tinnitus, hypertension, acid reflux disease, and menstrual disability are all denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or a link to service.,For the specific disabilities: Right Arm Disability, Upper Back Disability, Right Knee Disability, Sleep Disability, and Bilateral Foot Disability, the Veteran does not have a current disability that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The claim for hearing loss (left ear) and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions within one year of separation from active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.