The veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to multiple physical disabilities, including degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, traumatic arthritis of the right ankle joint, reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the right leg and foot, mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.
The deciding factor: The veteran's multiple physical disabilities, including degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, traumatic arthritis of the right ankle joint, reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the right leg and foot, mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral hearing loss, permanently preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative intervertebral disc disease, Degenerative arthritis disease of the lumbar spine, Traumatic arthritis of the right ankle joint, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the right leg and foot, Mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Bilateral mild hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2000
- Citation
- 0031976
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 0031976.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting VA examinations.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis C, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, Barrett's esophagus, and obstructive sleep apnea but dismissed the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, and a left eye disorder. However, it granted service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to the back disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for kidney disease, GERD, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral arm condition. The TDIU claim was remanded.
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