The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity loss is equivalent to a below-the-knee amputation with prosthesis, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation.
The deciding factor: Two VA examiners provided conflicting opinions regarding whether the remaining function of the right leg was more than what could be achieved by an amputation stump. The Board found that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence, resolving in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Herniated disc at L2-L3, Femoral neuropathy, Radiculopathy in the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1035436
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 1035436.
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 Veteran's hearing loss and low back strain claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the low back strain claim requires additional examination to determine its severity.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, left shoulder, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) based on evidence showing a causal relationship to in-service events or injuries.
- Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed because the March 2020 rating decision, which granted service connection for a low back strain, was never issued and therefore not an appealable decision.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected low back strain was denied, as the current severity of his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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