The Veteran's cervical spine and postoperative left shoulder disabilities were granted restoration of their previous ratings, while the lumbar spine disability was denied a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show actual improvement in the Veteran’s conditions under ordinary conditions of life and work for the cervical spine and postoperative left shoulder disabilities. The lumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 30% rating based on forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Postoperative left shoulder disability, Lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20074637
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches, CFS, dermatosis, bilateral RLS, a lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea but denied a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and right leg nerve disability as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.
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