The Veteran's fatty liver disease and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now rated at 40% for his lumbar spine disability from August 4, 2021 onwards.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, which meets the criteria for a 40% rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- Fatty Liver Disease, Degenerative Disc and Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21075827
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 21075827.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 26, 2017, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depressive and alcohol use disorders.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fatty liver disease, including whether it is related to service or any service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of favorable or unfavorable ankylosis, limited range of motion, or incapacitating episodes. The current 20% evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and nerve damage to the right leg are all rated based on their direct service connection. The initial ratings for PTSD (70%) and lumbar spine disability (20%) have been granted.
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