The Veteran's service connection claim for borderline personality disorder was denied. The appeal regarding the initial rating higher than 20 percent for low back disability prior to March 20, 2006 was dismissed as moot due to a change in law. A rating of 40 percent or more for low back disability beginning June 22, 1998 was granted. The Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran had borderline personality disorder or that his low back disability warranted a rating higher than 20 percent prior to March 20, 2006. The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 40 percent beginning June 22, 1998.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"borderline personality disorder"}, {"condition_name":"low back disability"}
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19132941
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
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.