The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several other issues, including TDIU and special monthly compensation.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating for the service-connected conditions as they were found to be at their maximum schedular ratings or did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, painful/tender scar, left foot, residual scars to the left foot and right foot, healed chip fracture, right ankle, scarring of the interphalangeal joint and pads of the right great toe, left foot transmetatarsal amputation prior to March 1, 2016, and greater than 40 percent since March 1, 2016, extension of a temporary total rating for left foot transmetatarsal amputation beyond February 29, 2016, left ankle strain prior to February 22, 2011, and greater than 10 percent from February 25, 2021, left knee strain (claimed as left knee condition, chondromalacia patellae), right knee strain (claimed as right knee condition, chondromalacia patellae), total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 4, 2015, increased level of special monthly compensation (SMC)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25040385
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 a disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depressive disorder, effective May 1, 2017.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted service connection for migraine headaches secondary to tinnitus, effective April 1, 2021. The claim for an earlier effective date for depressive disorder was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to obtain a VA examination and etiological opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, left and right hip pain, right knee degenerative arthritis, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder.
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