The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right-side disc displacement with reduction and myospasm of the masticatory muscles from March 24, 2008 to present, a compensable disability rating from June 10, 2006 to March 23, 2008, and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome with esophagitis and gastritis (also claimed as GERD and hiatal hernia).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- right-side disc displacement with reduction and myospasm of the masticatory muscles (claimed as TMJ), irritable bowel syndrome with esophagitis and gastritis (also claimed as GERD and hiatal hernia)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2009
- Citation
- 0911071
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
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