The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, with the exception of a 10 percent rating for right Achilles tendon rupture.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's conditions as described in the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety due to thumb injury, right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status-post left Achilles tendon rupture, status-post right Achilles tendon rupture, no residuals other than scar, status-post hairline fracture, right wrist (dominant), scar, status-post left Achilles rupture, status-post small scar on the right thumb, hemorrhoids with pruritus ani
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25048204
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings, and earlier effective dates, as well as dismissed his claim for a TDIU.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims for bilateral tinnitus, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, low back and bilateral hip disabilities based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal was remanded for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1).
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