The Veteran's left ankle disorder is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s posttraumatic headaches are granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s cervical spine disability is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran’s left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are both granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's thoracic spine degenerative disc disease is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied any increase in rating. A total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from September 18, 2015.
The deciding factor: The evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities precluded substantial gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle degenerative joint disease, posttraumatic headaches, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19121255
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,797 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19121255.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The claims for back pain and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.