The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the knees are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for lumbar strain with degenerative changes from April 18, 2006 to January 4, 2008, and an increased evaluation to 40 percent thereafter. He also receives a non-compensable rating for his scar of the anterior neck and burn scar of the right hand. The Veteran's scrotal varices disability is rated as non-compensable, while his degenerative joint disease of the left knee and right knee are each rated as non-compensable.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports service connection for migraine headaches, cervical spine disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the knees. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to service or any other presumptive exposure basis. His scar of the anterior neck and burn scar of the right hand do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- migraine headaches, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, lumbar strain with degenerative changes, scar of the anterior neck, residuals of thyroidectomy, burn scar of the right hand, scrotal varices disability, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2010
- Citation
- 1003740
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 1003740.
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 has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between service, including a stick injury in England, and current left eye disability (including amblyopia and cataracts) as well as migraine headaches.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.
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