Service connection is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, anxiety, and a respiratory disability (lungs). An earlier effective date for service connection for anxiety is denied. A TDIU rating is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of back pain began in service and have continued to the present, supported by STRs. Anxiety caused impairment in most areas of his life, including social interactions and occupational capability. The effective date for anxiety was assigned based on when he first applied for service connection. An unappealed December 2008 rating decision denied service connection for lung cancer due to lack of evidence at that time. New treatment records associated with the claims file show potential links between asbestos exposure and lung disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, anxiety, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disability (lung cancer)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- September 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18138830
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 18138830.
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 service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.
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