The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to be 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not show that they render him incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The claim for TDIU is denied.
The deciding factor: VA medical professionals concluded that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude sedentary employment, which exceeds his subjective complaints and educational history.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated disc at L5-S1, r radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- September 18, 2015
- Citation
- 1540149
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 1540149.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a back condition to be addressed with a new, adequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 19, 2016 for service connection of radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.
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