The appeal for a higher rating for the service-connected low back disability was denied, while appeals for other conditions were dismissed.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's low back disability met the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent or that any of the other appealed conditions warranted further action.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease with bulging disc, L5/S1 (low back disability), Migraine headaches, Hypertension, Traumatic brain injury (TBI), Plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25026408
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 earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating greater than 30 percent for plantar fasciitis as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.