The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection claims. The adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, left knee strain, right knee strain, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), lumbar discogenic pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were all denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depressed Mood, Left Knee Strain, Right Knee Strain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Left Hand, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), Lumbar Discogenic Pain, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2026
- Citation
- A26027261
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26027261.
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 appeal to revise the effective date for a 50% disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is dismissed because the July 2024 proposed rating decision was not an appealable determination.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for PFB is denied as the condition did not manifest through scarring or disfigurement during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
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