The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine degenerative changes, low back spasm/strain, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted. The claim for a disability claimed as joint arthritis other than the cervical spine, low back, and right knee is denied. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to service, with the evidence being at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes, cervical spine, Low back spasm/strain, Right knee patellofemoral syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20064940
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including cervical spine, chronic fatigue, and various nerve damages, as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to in-service events.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 7, 2017, but no earlier, to July 26, 2019, and he was granted basic eligibility for DEA benefits during the same period.
- Granted
The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, finding that there was functional loss due to pain causing additional disability beyond that reflected on range of motion measurements.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, service connection for left and right knee instability and locking, but remanded evaluations for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome and limitation of flexion as well as the TDIU claim.
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