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Denied

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with history of radiculitis or laceration of the liver.

The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms and range of motion findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes, including those related to intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

Claimed conditions
Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine with History of Radiculitis, Laceration of the Liver with Postoperative Laparotomy Scar
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
June 7, 2006
Citation
0616530

Veterans Law Judge

LAWRENCE M. SULLIVAN

Decisions by this judge: 407 · Granted: 23% (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 0616530.

What this means for you

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