The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent, the lumbar spine disability at 20 percent, left and right wrist disabilities at 10 percent each, bilateral ankle disabilities at 10 percent each, and elbow disabilities (excluding pronation) at 10 percent each. TDIU was granted on an extraschedular basis from September 21, 2007 until June 8, 2009, and then effective June 8, 2009.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating codes. The Board found that his disability picture was adequately addressed by the existing diagnostic codes without the need to consider other theories of service connection or exposure bases.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Lumbar spine disability, Left wrist disability, Right wrist disability, Bilateral ankle disability, Right elbow disability, Left elbow disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20042170
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 20042170.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right elbow disability and a nasal disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for brain cancer, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain a radiation dose estimate from the Under Secretary for Health. The Veteran's military service aboard USS ENTERPRISE is considered relevant to his exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine condition had its onset in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.
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