The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bladder disability (urinary incontinence), and bowel disability (impairment of rectal sphincter control) due to aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected T-6 compression fracture with deformities and kyphosis.
The deciding factor: The May 2017 VA examiner found that the Veteran’s service-connected back disability predisposed him to a MRSA infection, which likely aggravated his previously non-existent but now present bladder and bowel dysfunction as well as bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy beyond any natural course that was to be expected.
- Claimed conditions
- right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bladder disability (urinary incontinence), bowel disability (impairment of rectal sphincter control)
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20036634
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 20036634.
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.
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The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to mercury in dental amalgams and asbestos during service. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these exposures are related to his claimed disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal concerning earlier effective dates for service connection and disability ratings has been dismissed.,No new evidence or arguments were provided to support the claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to grant service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, prostate condition, headaches, IBS, behavioral neurology conditions, and acquired psychological condition due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error and is remanding the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the Veteran's claim being raised prior to December 2024, despite not being adjudicated in that decision.
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