The Board granted initial disability ratings for various conditions including cervical spine IVDS, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, GERD with Barrett's esophagus, bilateral eye disabilities, and bilateral dry eye syndrome.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms as documented in medical records and examinations over the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Barrett's esophagus, bilateral eye disabilities, to include bilateral macular degeneration and bilateral cataracts, bilateral dry eye syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2024
- Citation
- 24000615
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 earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA, but denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from April 3, 2023 onward, but denied higher ratings prior to that date. Service connection was also granted for alcohol use disorder as secondary to PTSD with traumatic brain injury.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 40 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
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