The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle sprain, right knee patellar tendinosis, degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with thoracolumbar spine strain, gastroesophageal reflux disease with eosinophilic esophagitis (GERD), and major depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the veteran's conditions warranted a higher rating based on the criteria set forth in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle sprain, right knee patellar tendinosis, degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with thoracolumbar spine strain, gastroesophageal reflux disease with eosinophilic esophagitis (GERD), major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25023679
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.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected right ankle sprain, but denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right and left hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and knee conditions, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected knee and ankle conditions. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis.
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