The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain with lumbar spine multi-level degenerative disc disease was reopened and granted. The claim for arthritis was denied, as there is no evidence of arthritis in any body part treated during service or within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's depressive disorder remains at a 70 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The new VA examination confirmed the diagnosis of depressive disorder with occupational and social impairment but without total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9434.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back pain, arthritis, depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18137598
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 18137598.
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 claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's vascular headaches are granted effective August 22, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective February 11, 2015. SMC based on housebound criteria is denied prior to July 14, 2020.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for depressive disorder, effective August 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper and did not comply with applicable regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion prior to the rating decision on appeal regarding whether the Veteran's arthritis was related to his period of active service, and if so, whether it contributed to his death.
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