The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for dysthymic disorder was withdrawn.,His chronic orthopedic manifestations of service-connected mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 are rated as 40 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms and clinical findings supported the assigned ratings based on his disability picture.
- Claimed conditions
- Dysthymic Disorder, Mechanical Low Back Pain with Degenerative Disc Disease at L4-L5, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Gastrointestinal Disability (including gastritis, duodenitis, hiatal hernia and residuals of cholecystectomy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2012
- Citation
- 1239992
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 1239992.
What this means for you
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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 claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s).
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