The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted, with specific evaluations assigned. The lumbar spine condition was initially evaluated as not meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to February 17, 2011 and from August 16, 2011 onwards. For cervical spine disability, initial compensable evaluation was denied prior to August 16, 2011 but granted at 20 percent thereafter. The left shoulder condition received a compensable evaluation starting from August 16, 2011. Right knee and benign prostatic hypertrophy conditions were initially evaluated as non-compensable. Right-side sciatica was evaluated as moderately severe since January 27, 2015. Hemorrhoids did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service connection claims were granted with specific evaluations assigned based on the severity of his conditions and their impact on his daily life.
- Claimed conditions
- DDD of the lumbar spine, Cervical spine disability, Left shoulder disability, Right knee disability, Benign prostatic hypertrophy, Right-side sciatica, Hemorrhoids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1617094
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 1617094.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his hemorrhoids, so the case is dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- 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.
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