The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and for a compensable rating for tinea pedis and onychomycosis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule. The Board also noted that there was no service connection established for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated based on limitation of motion and incapacitating episodes, which were found to be adequately addressed by the current 20 percent rating. For tinea pedis and onychomycosis, the Board noted that there was no evidence of deep or nonlinear scars, painful or unstable scars, or functional impairment warranting a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2014
- Citation
- 1453294
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 1453294.
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 Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis disability rating is being remanded for additional development due to significant weight loss and anemia.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40% prior to September 28, 2018. From that date, the rating was increased to 50%. The earlier effective date for TDIU is denied.
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