The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and lumbar spine conditions, finding that these conditions are related to injuries incurred during combat in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that each diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to service based on the Veteran's reported onset during service with ongoing issues thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, Right shoulder degenerative arthritis with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, Left shoulder degenerative arthritis with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22035722
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 22035722.
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 Veteran's cervical spine disability with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and denied an initial compensable disability rating for tinea pedis of the right foot.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is granted an increased rating to 40 percent, and no higher, as of May 4, 2021. The Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation at the '(l)' rate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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