James A. Defrank
Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans’ Appeals
63 visible decisions so far — outcome figures appear once a judge’s record reaches 100 visible decisions, because a rate over a small number reads as more meaningful than it is.
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial. Counts are compiled from published Board of Veterans’ Appeals decisions — see how this data is built. If you believe this page misattributes a decision or misstates a record, contact us and we will review and correct it.
Conditions this judge decides most
Recent decisions
- The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for both the left and right ankle disabilities, as the Veteran's symptoms more nearly…
2025-06-12 · granted
- The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis was granted, but the claims for higher…
2025-01-08 · mixed
- The Veteran's left lateral collateral ligament sprain is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The claim…
2024-11-21 · granted
- The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, left knee, right foot disabilities and residuals…
2020-12-22 · granted
- The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and missing pre-surgery hearing loss data. The Veteran's right…
2020-01-30 · remanded
- The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) from November 5, 2002 to June 12, 2011 is granted. The claim for…
2020-01-30 · denied
- The Veteran's left eye cataract surgery complications are being remanded for further development due to potential negligence on the part…
2020-01-30 · remanded
- The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for additional information. The…
2020-01-30 · remanded
- The Veteran's back disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest until years after separation and there is no credible evidence…
2020-01-30 · denied
- The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded, as well as her claim for TDIU. A VA examination is needed…
2020-01-30 · remanded
- The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right index finger injury, finding that there was no…
2020-01-29 · denied
- The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 17, 2013. The Board finds that more development is…
2020-01-28 · remanded