The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his claim is denied as there is no probative evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 20%, 40%, and noncompensable (zero percent), respectively. The combined rating is 50%. There is no probative evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- post-surgical residuals of disc removal with degenerative disc disease at L4-5, spondylolisthesis at L4-S1, left sciatica with muscle weakness, residuals of a bilateral herniorrhaphy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 1, 2011
- Citation
- 1108206
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1108206.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted TDIU for the appeal period prior to August 2, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between his current hearing loss and military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA determined that the veteran's spondylolisthesis at L4-S1 does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine or favorable ankylosis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a bilateral herniorrhaphy are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.
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