The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI was reopened and granted, with an effective date of April 4, 2013.,A compensable rating (20%) is assigned for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from April 4, 2013.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and a higher rating is denied.,Sciatic nerve left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with an initial rating of 10%, effective from January 13, 2011. The femoral nerve left lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted with an initial rating of 10%, effective from the same date.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI).,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not productive of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a 50% rating.,Sciatic nerve left lower extremity radiculopathy and femoral nerve left lower extremity radiculopathy are associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, warranting initial ratings of 10%. The effective dates are based on when the Veteran first filed his claims for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Bilateral Hearing Loss, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Sciatic Nerve Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Femoral Nerve Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 2, 2015
- Citation
- 1546344
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 1546344.
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 claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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