The Board denied a compensable rating for service-connected costochondritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated 'slight' under the criteria of DC 5321 for thoracic and respiratory muscle injuries.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no cardinal signs and symptoms of muscle disability, no fascial defects, no muscle injury affecting muscle substance or function, and no loss of power and muscle tone. The Veteran's complaints were outweighed by the examination findings in regard to the type and degree of impairment associated with his complaints.
- Claimed conditions
- Costochondritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19144890
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 increased ratings, service connection, and earlier effective dates.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (SMC-AA) was granted, while the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chest pains, to include costochondritis, and an increased rating for asthma were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for asthma and chronic bronchitis, granted service connection for costochondritis secondary to the service-connected conditions, and denied special monthly compensation based on housebound status or aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 11, 2024, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The claims for a compensable rating for costochondritis, service connection for a right shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.
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