The Board granted restoration of the 30 percent rating for left eye optic atrophy with visual defects and denied increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including hips, back, shoulders, and lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the rating for the service-connected left eye optic atrophy with visual defects was based on incomplete and inadequate VA examination results. For other issues, the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye optic atrophy with visual defects, left hip limited flexion, right hip limited flexion, left hip limited abduction/adduction, right hip limited abduction/adduction, left hip limited extension, right hip limited extension, back disability (thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, spondylosis, spinal canal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease), left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 3, 2025
- Citation
- A25048826
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 Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and granted initial 40 percent ratings for left upper extremity CTS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from April 15, 2017, solely based on his unspecified anxiety disorder. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound status, but dismissed the claims for initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection for left shoulder strain, labral tear, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and tendinitis was granted, while the effective date prior to November 11, 2023, for migraine headaches was denied.
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