The Veteran's stomach disorder, including GERD and IBS, is not service-connected.,Prior to April 6, 2010, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent. From April 6, 2010 to July 16, 2013, it was rated at 20 percent. Since then, it has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's depression is currently rated as 70 percent from May 24, 2012 and thereafter.,Neurological impairment of the left lower extremity resulted in mild sciatic nerve neuropathy since July 16, 2013. Neurological impairment of the right lower extremity also resulted in mild sciatic nerve neuropathy since that date.,The Veteran was granted TDIU effective May 24, 2012.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support service connection for the stomach disorder (GERD and IBS). The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been rated based on its current manifestations. His depression is currently rated as 70 percent from May 24, 2012 due to the effective date of his TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- stomach disorder, ischemic heart disease, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, depression, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2014
- Citation
- 1455605
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 1455605.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
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