The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for TDIU were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but not higher, from April 11, 2012. He also has separate 20 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities from November 30, 2011 to June 14, 2013, with no higher ratings thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent as of April 11, 2012. The radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been rated at 20 percent from November 30, 2011 to June 14, 2013, with no higher ratings thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2013
- Citation
- 1328567
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 1328567.
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's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and remanded the claim for adjustment disorder. The Veteran's radiculopathy is not shown to be related to his military service, while his adjustment disorder may be related to civilian life.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating determinations due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
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