The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and addendum opinion determined that the Veteran is capable of performing jobs with some restrictions due to his back conditions, but he cannot perform jobs requiring prolonged immobility.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint and disc disease, Post-operative residuals discectomy and nerve decompression (low back condition), Radiculopathy, right lower extremity associated with degenerative joint and disc disease, post-operative residuals discectomy and nerve decompression (low back condition), Radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with degenerative joint and disc disease, post-operative residuals discectomy and nerve decompression (low back condition)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1728944
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 1728944.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 initial rating for chronic thoracolumbar strain, with degenerative joint and disc disease was granted at a 20 percent disability rating prior to February 4, 2014. From that date, the Veteran's condition is rated at 20 percent.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his active duty service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back and neck disorders, including whether they are related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for cervical spine disability with spondylosis and C5 radiculopathy, effective from the date of the May 2002 decision. The lumbosacral spine disability remains noncompensable.
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