The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and IBS with GERD and hiatal hernia, while denying an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board also granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms during flare-ups and the impact on his daily functioning, as well as the medical evidence supporting these findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, Bilateral shoulder disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2024
- Citation
- 24003321
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an effective date of July 31, 2012, for TDIU and October 22, 2012, for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and arthritis, to include bilateral hips and knees, due to an inadequate VA examination.
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