The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bipolar disorder was also granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective from February 1, 1993. Other claims were continued at their prior evaluations.
The deciding factor: The veteran's bipolar disorder was found to be service-connected and assigned the appropriate disability rating based on the severity of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, bipolar disorder, tendonitis with impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, retropatellar pain syndrome of the knees bilaterally, bilateral pes planus with a history of metatarsalgia, allergic rhinitis, irritable bowel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 14, 2001
- Citation
- 0104626
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 0104626.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for adhesions as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no nexus between the claimed condition and service or a service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.
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