The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 30 percent, the highest schedular rating available. His lumbar spondyloarthropathy status post L5 disc surgery is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Veteran's tinnitus is already assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. For his right ankle arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis, the current ratings are 20 percent for the right ankle and 10 percent each for the left knee. His right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's adjustment disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, which represents the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9440 for an anxiety disorder. His lumbar spondyloarthropathy status post L5 disc surgery is rated at 20 percent, also representing the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5273. The Veteran's tinnitus is already assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260. For his right ankle arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis, the current ratings are appropriate given the severity of his symptoms as described in the medical records. His right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is also the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5273. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted based on his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities as of April 21, 2011.
- Claimed conditions
- adjustment disorder, lumbar spondyloarthropathy status post L5 disc surgery, tinnitus, right ankle arthroplasty, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1517179
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 1517179.
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 service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim for major depression to encompass any mental health disability raised by the record and has remanded six issues for additional development.
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