The Veteran's claims were denied across multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for existing disabilities. The appeals are not about service connection at all.
The deciding factor: The appeal is not about service connection but rather the assignment of initial disability ratings for pre-existing conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Sinusitis, Herpes simplex type I and II, Hysterectomy, Right knee chondromalacia, Bilateral hand disability (unspecified), Irritable bowel syndrome, Hernia, Acquired psychiatric disorder, Lung condition, Cervical spine disability, Left knee disability, Bilateral hip disability, Bilateral arm disability, Bilateral shoulder disability, Bilateral leg disability (unspecified), Jaw disability, Rheumatoid arthritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1753516
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 1753516.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether injuries sustained in a November 2001 incident were in the line of duty. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded due to its interdependence with the line of duty issue.
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