The Board denied service connection for pancreatitis and denied increased ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis, but granted a TDIU. The Veteran's current back disability is rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support the claim that the Veteran's pancreatitis began during service or was caused by service. For her back disability, the Board found that the symptoms were adequately reflected in the assigned rating of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- pancreatitis, lumbar degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, status post L3-L4 discectomy; and chronic strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2022
- Citation
- 22053362
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 22053362.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asthma, COPD, pancreatitis, stroke, and left arm weakness (claimed as secondary to stroke) based on the presumption of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or due to in-service exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for pancreatitis was granted with a 30% rating, effective November 15, 2023. The Veteran also received service connection for migraines and left ankle sprain with tendinitis, both rated at 30% and 20%, respectively, effective the same date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection of pancreatitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 12, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (SMC/A&A) due to service-connected disabilities.
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