The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, varicose veins of the legs, and status post recurrent heel spurs and Achilles tendon repair have been rated as moderately severe. The initial ratings for each condition are granted at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed moderate to severely-severe impairment in motion and function, with findings consistent with chronic muscle spasms, limitation of extension and lateral restriction, and degenerative changes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease at L3-L4 and L4-L5 levels, Varicose veins of the right leg, Varicose veins of the left leg, Status post recurrent heel spurs and Achilles tendon repair of the right foot, Status post recurrent heel spurs and Achilles tendon repair of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 27, 2009
- Citation
- 0927859
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 0927859.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities including varicose veins and Major Depressive Disorder, which may render him unemployable.
- Denied
The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the symptoms described. The claim for an extraschedular rating was also denied as the criteria reasonably describe the Veteran's disability level.
- Granted
The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg have been granted a disability rating of 40 percent effective November 12, 2019.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.