The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The reductions in disability ratings from 60 percent to 40 percent for lumbar spine DJD and from 60 percent to 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, were proper as they resulted in reduction of compensation payments.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting the TDIU determination. The reductions in disability ratings did not result in a discontinuance of compensation payments and thus complied with VA regulations for such reductions.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD), diabetes mellitus, type II, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, cervical spine DDD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 27, 2017
- Citation
- 1742718
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 1742718.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted on a secondary basis with obesity serving as an intermediate step due to service-connected low back disability, sciatica, and right shoulder disabilities.
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The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left arm tremors. Service connection for right hand tremors is also granted. The Veteran's tinnitus claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus.
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