The appeals of the denial service connection for right side sciatica nerve pain and the initial ratings assigned for hypertension, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and right thumb tendonitis are dismissed. Entitlement to an initial 100 percent rating for PTSD with bruxism is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the denial service connection for right side sciatica nerve pain and the initial ratings assigned for hypertension, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and right thumb tendonitis on the record during a June 2023 hearing before the undersigned. The functional impairment resulting from the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with bruxism has more nearly approximated the 100 percent rating criteria under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders since the effective date of service connection for the disability.
- Claimed conditions
- right side sciatica nerve pain, hypertension, left shoulder impingement syndrome, right thumb tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2024
- Citation
- 24005085
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 24005085.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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