The Veteran's Sjögren's Syndrome has been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that separate compensable disability ratings for the Veteran's right wrist, left wrist, cervical spine, and lumbar spine were already in place due to service connection. Therefore, a separate rating for Sjögren's Syndrome was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities including Sjögren's Syndrome, which is rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7912-5025. The Board found that pyramiding was not appropriate and thus denied a separate rating for Sjögren's Syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Sjögren's Syndrome, Wrist Ganglion Cysts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2011
- Citation
- 1133857
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 1133857.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's Sjögren's Syndrome, characterized by positive ANA, polyarthritis, and sicca, has been granted a 100 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Sjögren's Syndrome.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to Sjögren's Syndrome and a bilateral knee disorder, as well as pulmonary and allergic disorders. The Veteran will need additional VA opinions regarding these conditions.
- Granted
The VA has granted a 60 percent rating for Sjögren's syndrome since March 25, 2004. The veteran previously had a 10 percent rating from March 1, 1997.
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