The Veteran's low back disability warrants a combined staged rating of 80 percent, and his anxiety disorder warrants a 50 percent rating. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability has been shown to meet criteria for an 80 percent rating due to orthopedic manifestations approximating favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and neurological manifestations consistent with moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities. His anxiety disorder meets criteria for a 50 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disability, Anxiety Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- July 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1725675
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 1725675.
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 initial ratings for anxiety disorder and TBI were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board denied eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 rating decision because the March 2024 rating decision was an initial decision granting service connection for anxiety disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
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