The Veteran's tropical sprue and lumbar fibromyositis (back disability) have been granted service connection, with the back disability receiving a 40% rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had symptoms of tropical sprue since his return from Vietnam and these symptoms were consistent with the condition. For the back disability, the VA examiner found flexion to 30 degrees or less, which meets the criteria for a 40% rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- tropical sprue, lumbar fibromyositis (back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21067582
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 21067582.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tropical sprue has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for tropical sprue was denied. The maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 7319 (irritable colon syndrome) is already assigned.
- Granted
The Board found that the veteran's current diagnosis of sprue is related to his active military service, granting service connection for tropical sprue.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection is not well grounded and requires additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with a VA examination to determine if he currently has tropical sprue and any acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal will be remanded to the RO for these actions.
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