The Board granted service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis (lumbar spine disability), asthma, and tension headaches. The effective dates were assigned based on the Veteran's requests.,The earlier effective date of April 30, 1999 for the grant of service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis was granted as requested by the Veteran.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is at least an equipoise (equal) balance of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and asthma were incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The Veteran provided credible lay testimony about his symptoms since service, which was considered along with other medical opinions.,For right ankle degenerative arthritis, the Board found that the effective date requested by the Veteran (April 30, 1999) had been granted and rendered moot.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis (lumbar spine disability), asthma, tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20037357
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 20037357.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's representative also requested reevaluation of his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and asthma due to a failure to provide proper notice for a hearing.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
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.