The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the exception of asthma and TDIU issues. The DDD of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 20 percent; gastrointestinal disabilities at 10 percent; posttraumatic headaches at 50 percent; right shoulder impingement syndrome at 20 percent; and left knee disorder with medial collateral ligament strain at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found to meet the criteria for the assigned disability ratings based on their severity as determined by VA examination reports and medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine, Gastrointestinal disabilities including duodenitis, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Posttraumatic headaches, Right shoulder impingement syndrome, Left knee disorder with medial collateral ligament strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 20, 2018
- Citation
- 1823403
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 1823403.
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 Veteran's initial claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a brain hemorrhage was denied. The reduction of the rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability from 40 percent to 20 percent effective April 8, 2015, and the reduction of the rating for service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) from 40 percent to 10 percent effective April 8, 2015, were granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial 30 percent disability rating for posttraumatic headaches is granted, while his request for a higher rating for PTSD with TBI remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities result in loss of use and if so, whether he requires aid and attendance without considering such disability/ies. The Veteran also needs to be considered for SMC R1 based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal was denied because the November 24, 2023 decision granting service connection for posttraumatic headaches and post-concussion syndrome was not timely appealed. The Veteran did not file a timely Board Appeal request within one year of receiving the decision.
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