The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DDD and post-concussion syndrome, as likely as not, rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment prior to January 14, 2014.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically lumbar spine DDD and post-concussion syndrome, impacted his ability to work due to functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine DDD, post-concussion syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1726226
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1726226.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), and back scar status post laminectomy are all granted effective December 22, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted effective December 22, 2013.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left elbow sprain, right elbow enthesophyte, left knee strain and enthesophyte, right knee strain, and right leg radiculopathy but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for post-concussion syndrome, migraine headaches, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as these conditions clearly and unmistakably preexisted the Veteran's active duty service and were not permanently worsened beyond their natural progression by such service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches and post-concussion syndrome to schedule a VA examination due to missing service treatment records.
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