The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which were necessary to establish entitlement to the increased benefit sought. The provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.655(b) apply and deny the claims as a matter of law.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, involvement of the sciatic nerve, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, involvement of the sciatic nerve, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis, laceration scar shin, colitis, gallbladder removal, kidney stones
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25045151
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 Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the appellant does not have a documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s).
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for right inguinal hernia surgery and service connection for a low back disability, as well as remanded the claims for service connection for GERD and entitlement to an increased rating for hypertension.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a right hip disability, and granted a 30 percent rating for ureterolithiasis. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, while other claims were remanded.
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