The Veteran's service connection claim for a mental health disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service service.,The Veteran's cervical strain was rated at 10% since the onset of the claim period, with no higher rating warranted due to limited motion and painful movement.
The deciding factor: There is no competent or credible evidence of a current mental health disorder related to the Veteran’s in-service service. The Veteran's STRs are silent for any complaints or treatment related to a mental health condition.,The September 2016 VA examination found limited motion with painful movement, but not more than the minimum compensable rating (10%) required by Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- Mental Health Disorder, Cervical Strain, Bilateral Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Right), Bilateral Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Left), Bilateral Pes Planus with Right Foot Plantar Fasciitis, Tension Headaches, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19172393
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 19172393.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates for tension headaches and lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection for eye, neck, persistent cough, TBI residuals, and bilateral leg conditions are REMANDED.
- Granted
The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 10% disability rating, effective from the date of the June 2020 decision. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.
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