The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain is granted, subject to the rules and regulations governing the payment of VA monetary benefits. The claims for service connection for various conditions are denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant an increase in his current 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- insomnia, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine strain, left knee strain, left knee instability, plantar fasciitis with heel spurs of the left foot, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, upper back disability, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee disability, right Achilles tendonitis with right ankle pain, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, gastroenteritis, onychomycosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19160019
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 19160019.
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 granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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