The Veteran's back disability is granted as service connected. The Veteran's malaria and shrapnel scar of the left facial region are each rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: Service connection for the Veteran's back disability was established based on a finding that his current lumbar spinal stenosis began during service, with conflicting opinions regarding its exact cause. For malaria, there were no confirmed relapses as required by VA criteria. The shrapnel scar of the left facial region met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Disability, Malaria, Shrapnel Scar of the Left Facial Region
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2014
- Citation
- 1456219
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1456219.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted higher levels of SMC and aid and attendance special monthly compensation effective May 3, 2024, due to his service-connected conditions that require regular aid and assistance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability is not supported by adequate medical opinions, and thus remands the case for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability, back disability, and left elbow disability must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran provided lay reports of symptoms but the VA examiners did not consider these reports in their conclusions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, tinnitus, and bilateral foot disability due to a lack of current disabilities and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.
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