The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder was granted. The claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, left shoulder disorder, osteopenia/osteoporosis, patellar degenerative joint disease (bilateral knees), allergies, erectile dysfunction, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, tibial radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were also granted. The claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar paravertebral myositis, degenerative disc disease L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 2, 2015
- Citation
- 1523086
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 1523086.
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 granted an effective date of September 20, 1996 for the assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar paravertebral myositis, disc disease, and spine spondylosis rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 28, 2018. The Board granted his TDIU claim.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his April 2017 substantive appeal was not timely filed, and thus the April 2015 rating decision is final.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death.
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