The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and the evidence is at least in equipoise that he is unemployable due to his lumbar spine disability. Therefore, entitlement to a TDIU is granted.
The deciding factor: The combined rating of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meets or exceeds the required percentage (70%) for a TDIU and there is evidence indicating the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis, right knee condition, degenerative arthritis of the right hip, patellofemoral osteoarthritis of the left knee, right lumbosacral radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- December 5, 2013
- Citation
- 1340248
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 1340248.
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.
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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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability is service-connected as it resulted from an injury sustained during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the VA audiological examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded for an adequate VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression is also remanded as there are insufficient competent medical evidence on file.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, specifically anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, which is found to be due to military sexual trauma experienced during service. The decision also notes that the Veteran's reports of in-service personal assault are credible and supported by medical opinions.
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