The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was granted effective December 23, 1999. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The objective medical evidence of record demonstrated that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease rendered him helpless in performing daily activities, warranting the grant of special monthly compensation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, loss of use of both buttocks
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 10, 2009
- Citation
- 0921723
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 0921723.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of his appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, undress, bathe, groom himself, prepare meals, and transport himself without the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance since October 10, 2012.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee ligament tear with degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of hips and great toes, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the lumbar spine disorder from May 29, 2019, and denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
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