The Board granted ratings of 30 percent or higher for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right shoulder strain, left elbow olecranon bursitis, right elbow olecranon bursitis, and headaches. Service connection was also granted for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) under the PACT Act.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions more nearly approximated the criteria for higher ratings based on the evidence of record, including flare-ups and functional loss during use over time.

Claimed conditions

cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right shoulder strain, left elbow olecranon bursitis, right elbow olecranon bursitis, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

How they argued it

Presumptive (no nexus needed)

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

30%

Decision date

November 3, 2025

Citation

A25095345

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine