The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 20 percent, effective from August 2013. His left shoulder DJD has been granted service connection.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warranted a higher rating starting from August 2013 due to his symptoms and range of motion measurements. The left shoulder DJD was found to be related to active duty service, warranting service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, high cholesterol, 20 percent rating for lumbar spine disability prior to August 2013 and 20 percent thereafter, left shoulder DJD (degenerative joint disease)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1517181
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 1517181.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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