The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder and ankle disabilities. The right and left elbow disabilities received a combined rating of 40 percent since June 13, 2014.,Effective October 15, 2014, the Veteran's neck disability was rated at 30 percent, his bilateral ankle disabilities were each rated at 20 percent, and his right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities were each rated at 30 percent. The ratings for his bilateral elbow and hand disabilities remained at 10 percent.,The Veteran received a TDIU effective October 15, 2014.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations provided evidence of the severity of the Veteran's disability based on range of motion testing. The pain and instability in his joints were considered in determining the appropriate ratings.,The criteria for increased ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes were met due to the functional loss caused by painful motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Spondyloarthropathy of the cervical spine (neck disability), Spondyloarthropathy of the right ankle, Spondyloarthropathy of the left ankle, Spondyloarthropathy of the right shoulder, Spondyloarthropathy of the left shoulder, Spondyloarthropathy of the right elbow, Spondyloarthropathy of the left elbow, Bilateral hand disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 13, 2017
- Citation
- 1721523
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 1721523.
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 remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right ear hearing loss, bilateral elbow, hand, knee, and shoulder disabilities, hemorrhoids, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and thoracic aortic aneurysm. The appeals are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder and arm disabilities, bilateral hand disabilities, and residuals of a head injury. The remand requires an addendum opinion to address whether any diagnosed pre-existing right knee disability was aggravated by service or had its onset during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI, and increased disability rating for scars of the left hand have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral hand disability.
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