The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, was granted. The claims for service connection for gastric ulcer with reflux (reflux), left lower extremity radiculopathy, and abnormal liver test disability were denied. The claim for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for reflux, rhinitis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral restless leg syndrome is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's mental health condition met the criteria for a rating of 70 percent under DC 9434.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, gastric ulcer with reflux (reflux), rhinitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, abnormal liver test disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 31, 2023
- Citation
- 23058735
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 23058735.
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 has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's rhinitis and gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia were evaluated, but the Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating.,For rhinitis, the evidence did not show greater than 50 percent obstruction of both nasal passages or complete obstruction on one side. For gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia, symptoms were described as infrequent and mild.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.
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