The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board granted his TDIU claim based on his service-connected disabilities, which rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his education and occupational experience, have rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Chondromalacia of the right knee with degenerative joint disease, Prostate cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 1, 2015
- Citation
- 1537423
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 1537423.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is rated at 100% effective October 25, 2024. His prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60% effective October 25, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and prostate cancer are granted service connection, with the latter requiring a VA examination to address exposure to burn pits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
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