The Veteran's lumbar fibromyositis, external hemorrhoids, and chronic maxillary sinusitis have been rated appropriately. The issues of service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and for neuropathy and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities remain unresolved.
The deciding factor: The VA examination did not provide a clear opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities, which are necessary to grant service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Fibromyositis, External Hemorrhoids, Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis, Neuropathy Left Upper Extremity, Neuropathy Right Upper Extremity, Neuropathy and Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Neuropathy and Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2018
- Citation
- 1816298
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 1816298.
What this means for you
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- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions and SMC at the housebound rate as of January 31, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for GERD and a 50 percent evaluation for cluster headaches, but denied an increased rating for right foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran was also granted a 10 percent evaluation for external hemorrhoids effective May 19, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder, denied compensable ratings for external hemorrhoids and sinusitis, granted service connection for migraine headaches secondary to sinusitis, and granted service connection for left foot and left shoulder conditions. The claims for increased ratings for urethral stricture, lumbosacral strain, and ulnar neuropathy were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted higher initial ratings of 70 percent for PTSD and 30 percent for chronic maxillary sinusitis, effective February 14, 2022.
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