The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been manifested by subjective complaints of pain and limitation of motion; objective findings do not include unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes lasting at least six weeks during any 12-month period. Therefore, a rating higher than 40 percent is not warranted.,The Veteran's left leg DVT disability was manifested by persistent edema and stasis pigmentation but no persistent ulceration. A rating of 20% is granted.
The deciding factor:
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (Lumbar Spine), Left Lower Extremity Protein C Deficiency with Deep Vein Thrombosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1746861
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 1746861.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, granting his claim for TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for Major Depressive Disorder and Degenerative Disc Disease were denied, as the medical evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent and 10 percent respectively. The appeal for service connection for a Cervical Spine Disorder was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 25, 2014, finding that the Veteran was not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities until then.
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