The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral spine degenerative changes with spasm are rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent disability rating for his left shoulder status post rotator cuff repair and Mumford procedure, right shoulder impingement status post subacromial decompression, hemorrhoids, and chronic right ankle sprains status post excision ganglion cyst with residual scar.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions were rated based on the severity of his symptoms as per VA guidelines for cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral spine degenerative changes. The maximum rating was assigned due to the severity of his shoulder conditions, hemorrhoids, and ankle sprains.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral spine degenerative changes with spasm, left shoulder status post rotator cuff repair and Mumford procedure with degenerative changes, right shoulder impingement status post subacromial decompression with degenerative changes, hemorrhoids, chronic right ankle sprains status post excision ganglion cyst with residual scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26012859
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 A26012859.
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 claim for service connection for tension headaches was granted with an effective date of August 28, 2014.,Service connection for eczema was granted with an effective date of August 10, 2022. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but the request was denied.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disorder.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection for gastroenteritis, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, right knee strain and hemorrhoids. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of a lumbosacral strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of a left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of right knee strain. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of hemorrhoids. The earliest effective date is December 5, 2018.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, as evidenced by his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and manage his daily medications. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC(l).
- Granted
The Veteran's hemorrhoids with persistent bleeding and fissures are now rated at 20 percent effective May 19, 2023.
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