The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and thoracic strain were granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent, effective July 31, 2009. Service connection for bilateral reduction mammoplasties with scars was also granted. However, service connection for heart palpitations/chest pain was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and thoracic strain were found to have increased in severity since the last evaluation, warranting a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent effective July 31, 2009. Service connection for bilateral reduction mammoplasties with scars was granted as they are considered part of her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and thoracic strain. However, there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart palpitations/chest pain.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis, thoracic strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 8, 2014
- Citation
- 1420759
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 1420759.
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)
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- Partly granted
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- Partly granted
Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service or as a result of a disease or injury in active service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for blackouts and fainting spells, a bilateral foot condition, and rheumatoid arthritis due to lack of new and relevant evidence.
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