The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to work despite his lumbar spine disability and other conditions. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of total occupational impairment due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: VA examiners have found no interference with employment due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability which limits his ability to sit for extended periods but not overall work capacity.
- Claimed conditions
- spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, left lumbar radiculopathy with weakness of the left dorsiflexors and mild left foot drop, tinnitus, facial scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 1, 2016
- Citation
- 1645274
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 1645274.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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