The veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted. The thoracic and cervical spine disabilities are each rated as noncompensable. The impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, GERD, and right ear hearing loss are all rated appropriately.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lumbar spine disability has been evaluated at 20 percent since its initial grant in February 1998. The VA examination report from December 1997 showed moderate loss of range of motion with intermittent exacerbations, but no evidence of neurological deficits or severe stenosis. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the veteran's disability level.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolysis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, spondylolysis of the thoracic spine, spondylolysis of the cervical spine, impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 19, 2002
- Citation
- 0206531
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 0206531.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss, and the case is dismissed.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
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