The Veteran's service connection claims for arthralgia of the skeletal joints, myalgia, gastrointesintal disability (claimed as a stomach disorder), and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been granted. The Veteran's psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has also been granted. An increased rating for his low back disability is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's arthralgia, myalgia, gastrointesintal disability, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are related to service. The psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- arthralgia of the skeletal joints, myalgia, manifested by muscle pain of the bilateral legs and feet, functional gastrointestinal disability, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 18, 2013
- Citation
- 1319660
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 1319660.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40% prior to September 28, 2018. From that date, the rating was increased to 50%. The earlier effective date for TDIU is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for any additional levels of SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.
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