The Veteran's left elbow fracture and T10 and L1 compression fractures have been rated at 10 percent since October 11, 2019. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for the left elbow due to painful motion alone, but granted a 10 percent evaluation based on painful flexion. For the T10 and L1 compression fractures, the Veteran's disability has been rated at 10 percent since October 11, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s left elbow fracture resulted in painful motion that met the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5206. The T10 and L1 compression fractures did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of flexion or extension, as they were productive of forward flexion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Fracture of the left elbow radial head, T10 and L1 compression fractures
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20071673
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,569 · Granted: 26% (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 20071673.
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 decision addresses the reduction of a 20 percent rating for right ankle injury to a 10 percent rating, which was improper and restored. The Board also remanded two issues: entitlement to a compensable evaluation for fracture of the left elbow radial head and entitlement to an increased evaluation for T10 and L1 compression fractures.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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