The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's connective tissue disorder from November 16, 2012, to May 22, 2016, and denied a higher rating in excess of 60 percent. The Board also denied ratings in excess of 30 percent and 70 percent for left hip degenerative joint disease and right foot hallux valgus, respectively.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the frequency and severity of exacerbations of the connective tissue disorder, as well as the lack of evidence supporting a higher rating for other conditions.

Claimed conditions

connective tissue disorder (previously systemic lupus erythematosus), left eye scleritis, muscle pain in bilateral hands, anemia, left hip degenerative joint disease, status post total replacement, right foot hallux valgus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 25, 2025

Citation

25002681

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine