Service connection for a low back disability is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, depression, and PTSD is granted.,TDIU is granted.,Service connection for neuropathy, peripheral of the left lower extremity, claimed as secondary to DM, is remanded.,Service connection for neuropathy, peripheral of the right lower extremity, claimed as secondary to DM, is remanded.,Service connection for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for DM is remanded.,An effective date earlier than March 31, 2010, for the grant of service connection for DM is remanded.

The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s low back disability is related to his active service.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative disk disease (DDD) / Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, Acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Neuropathy, peripheral of the left lower extremity, claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus (DM), Neuropathy, peripheral of the right lower extremity, claimed as secondary to DM

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

30%

Decision date

June 7, 2019

Citation

19144427

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 19144427.