The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection have been addressed. The Board has granted the Veteran a 100 percent rating for PTSD, as well as an increase in his evaluation for diabetes mellitus with mild renal insufficiency, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and impotence.
The deciding factor: The VA physician provided an opinion linking the Veteran's current low back disability to military service, which is considered material evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- {"conditionName":"Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine"}, {"conditionName":"Peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities"}, {"conditionName":"Right knee disability (secondary to service-connected left knee disability)"}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2010
- Citation
- 1003681
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 1003681.
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 acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His cervical spine disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20% each.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and high blood pressure are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service. However, the issue of nonspecific dermatitis is being granted based on finding CUE in the March 2005 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.