The Veteran's syrinx of the thoracolumbar spine is granted service connection. The rating for headaches remains at 30 percent, and sinusitis remains at 10 percent. Service connection for left arm disability and hypertension are remanded.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established for the Veteran's syrinx of the thoracolumbar spine due to conflicting medical opinions regarding its etiology. The rating for headaches is denied as there were no prostrating attacks meeting criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for sinusitis remains at 10 percent, with no incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes exceeding six per year. Service connection for left arm disability and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Syrinx of thoracolumbar spine, Headaches (status post head injury), Sinusitis, Left arm disability, to include left arm and fingers numbness, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21072539
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 21072539.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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