The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected post-operative herniated intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of the L-4, L-5 level is rated at 40 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine due to its equivalent forward flexion limited to 30 degrees. The Board also granted a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- post-operative herniated intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of the L-4, L-5 level
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1739466
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 1739466.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the impact of the Veteran's service-connected back disability on his ability to work. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the RO.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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