The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected costochondritis, categorized as a muscle injury of Muscle Group XXI, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria. The disability is characterized as 'slight' based on the evidence showing intermittent chest pain without significant functional impairment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for more severe classifications of muscle injury (severe, moderately severe, or moderate) due to lack of consistent complaints of cardinal signs and symptoms of muscle disability such as loss of power, weakness, lowered threshold of fatigue, etc. The VA examiners found no evidence of scars, fascial defects, or impairment of function.
- Claimed conditions
- Costochondritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1740025
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 1740025.
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 reduction in rating for the Veteran's back condition from 40% to 20%, effective September 1, 2025 is improper and void ab initio. The petition to reverse this reduction is granted. An increased rating for costochondritis is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2012, for a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable within one year prior to his July 18, 2012, claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for costochondritis is denied, and the Board has remanded his claim of service connection for a headache condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's costochondritis and asthma have been granted service connection, with a 10% evaluation for asthma.
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.