The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his residuals of a fracture of the cervical spine with traumatic arthritis, disc herniation at C6-7 are rated at 20 percent for orthopedic manifestations and separately at 20 percent each for mild incomplete paralysis of the right upper extremity and left (dominant) upper extremity. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus does not require restriction of occupational or recreational activities, nor does it involve episodes of ketoacidosis, hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalizations or frequent treatment by his diabetic care provider, or complications. The residuals of a fracture of the cervical spine with traumatic arthritis and disc herniation at C6-7 are manifested by 30 degrees of flexion of the cervical spine, a bulging disc, subjective complaints of radiating pain, and slightly diminished upper extremity reflexes bilaterally.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus, fracture of the cervical spine with traumatic arthritis, disc herniation at C6-7
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 30, 2011
- Citation
- 1131916
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 1131916.
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 Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Granted
The Veteran's Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular Aid and Attendance is granted as of April 25, 2024.,For diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
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