The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease was rated at 20 percent prior to September 16, 2012 and from October 1, 2013. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.,The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities with combined ratings of 70%. He has been determined unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical opinions provided clear explanations supporting the assigned disability ratings. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,The evidence was in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions, with no additional disabilities meeting the required combination of 40% or more.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 26, 2017
- Citation
- 1748180
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 1748180.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, chronic vertigo, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of these disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to March 1, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to a duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and found that new and relevant evidence had not been received to readjudicate the claims for left and right lower extremity stent placements in femoral arteries.
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