The Board granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis in all extremities, Sjogren's syndrome, a skin condition, and a thyroid condition. The evaluation for diabetes was denied, but the Veteran received an increased rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities from May 17, 2018, as well as TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Board granted service connection based on direct and secondary theories, as well as a presumption related to Agent Orange exposure. The increased rating was granted due to moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis (right lower extremity), rheumatoid arthritis (left lower extremity), rheumatoid arthritis (right upper extremity), rheumatoid arthritis (left upper extremity), Sjogren's syndrome, skin condition, thyroid condition
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2025
- Citation
- 25001946
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 696 · Granted: 63% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 25001946.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of June 8, 2022 for the award of service connection for a skin disability (dermatitis). This decision is based on the receipt of an intent to file dated June 8, 2022.
- Partly granted
Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service or as a result of a disease or injury in active service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of chest pain, ear condition, vaginosis, syncope, thyroid condition, and jaw condition have been dismissed due to non-jurisdictional procedural defects. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection on the issues of occipital neuralgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for further development.
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