The Veteran's initial disability ratings for various conditions have been granted, including cervical spine IVDS, GERD with Barrett's esophagus, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral eye disabilities (prior to July 18, 2016), and a separate rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome. The Veteran also received SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's conditions met the criteria for the assigned disability ratings.
- 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 (macular degeneration and cataracts), Bilateral dry eye syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 4, 2024
- Citation
- 24000615
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,836 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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