The Veteran's service connection for diverticulitis is granted. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 50 percent for GAD is denied, and the appeals for increased ratings for right ankle strain and vertigo are remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's diverticulitis had its onset during service or was otherwise related to service. The evidence did not support a higher rating for GAD as her symptoms were within the range of impairment considered under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- diverticulitis, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- February 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26011338
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 A26011338.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a colon condition, including as caused by herbicide agent exposure or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection on any basis.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with a rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's back disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increase to higher ratings.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities are each granted initial 20 percent ratings.,Service connection for GAD, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic kidney pain is remanded.,A compensable disability rating (greater than 0 percent) for chronic kidney infections is also remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for chronic diarrhea, service connection for diverticulitis, and service connection for a respiratory system disability to include restrictive lung disease and sleep apnea syndrome have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as generalized anxiety disorder. The past due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision are eligible for direct payment of attorney fees at a rate of 20%. Service connection for GAD was not initially granted, so no fees can be paid from the July 2024 rating decision.
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