The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar disc disease status post lumbar decompression surgery are granted. The left shoulder condition is denied, but a reduction in rating for cervical degenerative joint disease status post spine fusion from 20% to 10% effective March 7, 2015 is restored. A reduction in rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis from 50% to 30% effective March 7, 2015 is also restored.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar disc disease status post lumbar decompression surgery were found to have onset in service. The left shoulder condition was not found to be related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Lumbar disc disease status post lumbar decompression surgery, Left shoulder condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18119751
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 18119751.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition and left shoulder condition due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as VA failed to provide the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions to assess the nature and etiology of his conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Granted
The Veteran's back condition is granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for LLE and RLE radiculopathies are remanded.
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