The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, a right shoulder condition, a cervical strain, a lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, TMJ with bruxism, ventral hernia, and ganglion cyst prior to March 24, 2020. However, it granted an initial 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from February 7, 2021, a 30 percent rating for TMJ, and 20 percent ratings for ventral hernia and ganglion cyst.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions were not shown to have met the criteria for higher ratings based on the evidence of record. The Board found that the maximum available ratings had already been assigned or that the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pes planus, right shoulder condition, cervical strain, lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) with bruxism, ventral hernia, ganglion cyst
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25058235
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine pain, allergic rhinitis, and recurrent yeast infections. The claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and left knee pain were remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, but remanded claims for service connection for sinusitis, calcified lymph nodes on the lungs, and cervical strain.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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