The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected herpes simplex virus, as the evidence showed that when present, it involved less than 5 percent of his total body area and required no more than intermittent use of systemic therapy for less than 6 weeks in the relevant 12-month period.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's use of Valacyclovir did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it was taken for less than 6 weeks over the past 12 months and affected less than 5 percent of his body area during outbreaks.
- Claimed conditions
- Herpes simplex virus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 22, 2025
- Citation
- A25036874
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,762 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A25036874.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for urinary tract infections, herpes simplex virus, and a compensable disability rating for bilateral tinea pedis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's skin disability, which includes diffuse dermatophytosis and herpes simplex virus, is rated at a maximum of 60 percent since April 19, 2021. The rating was granted as the condition meets the criteria for a 60 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's initial rating for herpes simplex virus and a right groin scar were upheld, but the Board has remanded the issue of service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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