The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability and a higher effective date for TDIU. The veteran was granted a 60 percent evaluation for his low back disability, but not in excess of that level. The effective date for TDIU was set at April 8, 2003.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined the veteran's impairment as mild to moderate and later as marked, warranting a 60 percent evaluation. However, the Board found no evidence supporting an increase beyond that level. The effective date for TDIU was set based on the Social Security Administration's determination of disability onset.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, postoperative residuals of L5-S1 herniated disc with degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 10, 2008
- Citation
- 0801044
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 0801044.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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