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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0945243.
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 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD and associated conditions are granted effective from November 15, 2024.
- 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.
- 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.
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.