The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral ankle strain, and bilateral knee strain. The ratings for left and right ankle disability have been increased to 20 percent prior to March 31, 2011.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports the finding that the Veteran's current cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral ankle strain, and bilateral knee strain. The ratings for left and right ankle disability have been increased to 20 percent prior to March 31, 2011.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Thoracolumbar spine disability, Bilateral hip disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 23, 2014
- Citation
- 1456389
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 1456389.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- 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.
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