The Board has granted the veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back disability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability rated at 40%, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- ruptured lumbar disc with degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine, gunshot wound of the left shoulder, hyperhydronephrosis with dilation of the left ureter, residuals of shell fragment wound of the chest
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 20, 2004
- Citation
- 0410268
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,055 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0410268.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran meets the criteria for a schedular TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities, but his case is remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting an employment impact assessment.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 24, 2001 for a grant of service connection for a gunshot wound of the left shoulder. The earliest effective date that can be granted is the date of receipt of the claim on August 24, 2001.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound to the abdomen, colon, small intestine, and liver are characterized by recurrent ventral hernias that have required two surgeries. The disability warrants a 40% rating under DC 7339.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his gunshot wound residuals has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.