The Veteran's claims for compensation for gynecomastia, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease, and a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy effective November 27, 2006 were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities was granted with an effective date of June 18, 1983. The claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left and right knee disabilities were also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's gynecomastia is not proximately due to or the result of medications taken for service-connected PTSD, and there was no evidence of VA negligence in prescribing medication. The lumbar degenerative disc disease did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to November 27, 2006, but met criteria thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy warranted a separate 10 percent rating effective November 27, 2006. The left shoulder disability did not warrant a higher rating prior to January 7, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- gynecomastia, lumbar degenerative disc disease, left shoulder disability, bilateral knee disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2015
- Citation
- 1550395
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 1550395.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Dismissed
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