The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and denied service connection for gastrointestinal stromal tumor, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
The deciding factor: The evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain is related to low back pain sustained during service, but the preponderance of evidence weighed against a finding that his gastrointestinal stromal tumor and TDIU claim were related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- October 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21062512
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for low back strain to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including the side effects of medication taken to treat his back disability, precluded substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back strain based on the evidence showing that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for low back strain and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve after April 26, 2024. However, it granted a 20 percent rating for the left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve prior to that date and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.
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