The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions, including DDD of the lumbar and cervical spines, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and vitiligo, did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings as defined by the VA rating schedule. The evidence provided was insufficient to warrant a grant of increased disability ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Vitiligo
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0945243
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 0945243.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the potential diagnosis. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review and consideration.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD and associated conditions are granted effective from November 15, 2024.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome and vertigo are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The PFB claim is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including DDD of the lumbar spine. The current VA opinions are deemed inadequate due to their failure to consider the Veteran's lay reports of in-service injury and continuous symptomatology since service.
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