The Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome is rated as 20 percent disabling, left upper extremity radiculopathy as 20 percent disabling prior to July 8, 2020 and as 20 percent disabling from that date, and left thumb disability as 10 percent disabling prior to July 8, 2020 and as 20 percent disabling thereafter. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings are granted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports the current ratings based on the severity of symptoms and functional impairment associated with each condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral dry eye syndrome, Left upper extremity radiculopathy, Left thumb disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21015261
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 21015261.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome is rated at a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6025, the maximum available for this condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for service connection for alopecia areata is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral dry eye syndrome with vision impairment scars are remanded due to a duty to assist error.
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