The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent, and his IBS is currently rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher initial evaluation for both conditions.
The deciding factor: The May 2005 VA examination findings supported by the veteran's testimony indicate that his lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and IBS are more severe than currently evaluated, warranting an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2005
- Citation
- 0531583
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 0531583.
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 decided to remand the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease due to incomplete documentation of her medical records and a need to address her lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and anxiety disorders, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bradycardia has been rated based on the workload of 13 METs prior to May 6, 2009 and 8 METs from that date. The right knee condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling before May 2011 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's chondromalacia patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee) has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating decision in March 2002. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 10 percent before May 2011 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's hypertension was previously managed with medication, and diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. The hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux is currently rated as 10 percent before May 2011 and 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's anal fissure has not been shown to be present, thus no rating can be assigned for this condition.,New evidence submitted includes medical records that suggest the headaches may have a neurological cause rather than being secondary to gastroenteritis. The left knee disability is related to service due to its onset during active duty.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and depression or other psychiatric disorder are both considered secondary to hypertension and pain from service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder warrants a 20 percent rating prior to November 13, 2002 and a 40 percent rating thereafter. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is rated at 40 percent since November 13, 2002.
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