The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied. The Board found that while the Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work, they did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his lumbar spine disability and PTSD, caused significant impairment in his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. However, the combined evaluation of 90% did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to individual unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis, Post traumatic stress disorder with depression, Atopic dermatitis with neurodermatitis, Hypertensive cardiovascular disease associated with hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1504058
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1504058.
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: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted in June 2012 with an initial 40% rating effective March 24, 2005 and a 20% rating effective August 20, 2009. The Board found that from August 20, 2009, the Veteran's disability did not warrant a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis was rated at 20 percent prior to October 23, 2012 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.
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