The Veteran's initial rating for costochondritis was granted at a 10 percent level from August 28, 2012 to October 11, 2018. The Veteran's increased rating for his skin disorder was granted at a 60 percent level from August 28, 2012 and continuing thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran experienced chest pain due to costochondritis and intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs were required for his skin disorder on a constant/near-constant basis during the past 12-month period, warranting a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Costochondritis, Skin Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19128693
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,242 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19128693.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and a skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering the totality of his military exposure.
- Whole decision: 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.
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