The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected diastolic heart failure, remanded the claims of a compensable rating for hypothyroidism with thyroiditis and a higher rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and found that the Veteran's disability is fully capable of evaluation under the rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating at any time, as the Veteran's service-connected DHF symptomatology does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under DC 7005.
- Claimed conditions
- Diastolic Heart Failure (DHF), Hypothyroidism with Thyroiditis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25056119
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 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's GERD, finding that his condition is productive of daily medications to control dysphagia and is otherwise asymptomatic.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased evaluations for GERD, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and TBI.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, except for a granted 30 percent rating for headache disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and right hand strain, increased the ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, dyshidrotic eczema, and hypertension, and denied service connection for Parkinsonism, pes planus/flat feet, GERD, tinea versicolor, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus. The Board also granted a TDIU.
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