The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability, skin disabilities presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, and shrapnel wound residuals are all granted. The Veteran has been diagnosed with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and his current skin conditions (presumed due to Agent Orange) are consistent with such presumptions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to in-service injury during combat operations in Vietnam. The Veteran has also been diagnosed with several skin conditions presumed due to exposure to herbicides, and these conditions are consistent with his service history. For the shrapnel wound residuals claim, a VA examination was conducted which identified metallic fragments within the Veteran's body that could be related to his in-service injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Actinic Keratosis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2015
- Citation
- 1534205
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 1534205.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma due to inadequate examination.
- Granted
The Board has restored service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Diabetes Mellitus type II, Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the lower left extremity sciatic nerve, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the lower right extremity sciatic nerve, and Hypertension. The Board found that the original grant of service connection was not clearly erroneous due to the Veteran's exposure along the DMZ in Korea.
- Denied
The Veteran's skin allergies were found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his symptoms did not result in at least five percent of his entire body or exposed areas being affected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for SMC is granted, effective February 1, 2021. The decision is based on the combination of his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities that independently rate at least 60 percent.
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