The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as other claims, finding that the evidence did not support entitlement to these benefits.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on a lack of evidence showing the Veteran filed any formal or informal claim prior to the specified dates, and the criteria for higher ratings were not met during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral cataracts or nuclear sclerosis with diabetic retinopathy, corneal pannus/neurovascularization, and ophthalmic complications, left eye ectropion with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, pilonidal cyst residuals, right forearm status post dermatofibroma excision residuals, tinea cruris rash or infection disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae with dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25023660
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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