The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee, residuals status post pilon fracture with open reduction and retained hardware, right tibia, ankle, and a fracture of the left femur, render him physically helpless in performing activities of daily living or protecting himself from everyday hazards.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's severe limitations due to his service-connected cervical spine disability, lumbar spine, right knee, and left femur fractures render him physically helpless in performing activities of daily living or protecting himself from everyday hazards.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, Residuals status post pilon fracture with open reduction and retained hardware, right tibia, ankle, Traumatic arthritis of the right knee, Fracture of the left femur, one inch shortening
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- September 21, 2011
- Citation
- 1135480
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 1135480.
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 service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for brain cancer, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain a radiation dose estimate from the Under Secretary for Health. The Veteran's military service aboard USS ENTERPRISE is considered relevant to his exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine condition had its onset in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, upper extremity neurological, and lower extremity neurological disabilities due to inadequate VA medical examinations in March 2019 and January-May 2016. The new examinations must consider the Veteran's reported onset dates for his symptoms.
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