The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed stomach disability) has been reopened and is granted. Service connection is also granted for sinusitis, bilateral lower extremity arthritis as secondary to service-connected disability, left upper extremity arthritis as secondary to service-connected disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The new evidence submitted includes VA treatment records documenting gastrointestinal complaints and a diagnosis of diverticulosis. The Veteran's sinusitis is considered presumptively incurred in service due to the nature of his military service. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity arthritis, left upper extremity arthritis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- {"conditionName":"Gastrointestinal Disorder (claimed stomach disability)"}, {"conditionName":"Sinusitis"}, {"conditionName":"Respiratory Disorder, other than sinus disorder (claimed upper respiratory infection (URI))"}, {"conditionName":"Cyst in the maxillary sinus"}, {"conditionName":"Bilateral lower extremity arthritis (of the knees)"}, {"conditionName":"Left upper extremity arthritis (of the hand)"}, {"conditionName":"Right lower extremity radiculopathy"}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2014
- Citation
- 1449195
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 1449195.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's sinusitis has not been productive of 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged (lasting 4 to 6 weeks) antibiotic treatment, or 3 to 6 non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has not manifested with greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or with polyps.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including pes planovalgus and plantar fasciitis with arthritis, is found to be related to service. The Veteran's sinusitis claim has been remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, a right wrist sebaceous cyst, and a compensable initial rating for sinusitis have been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran does not currently have cellulitis or ulcerative colitis.
- 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.
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