The Veteran's combined disability rating has been at least 70 percent, with 'one service-connected disability' ratable at at least 40 percent. However, the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: VA examinations and SSA records indicate the Veteran's employment difficulties are due to nonservice-connected conditions (lumbosacral spine disability) rather than his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative, right foot deformity with pes planus, postoperative, left foot deformity with pes planus, bilateral healing loss, degenerative disc disease, cervical spine, residuals, fracture left clavicle, tinnitus associated with bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1804250
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 1804250.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including cervical spine, chronic fatigue, and various nerve damages, as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to in-service events.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal to reopen the previous denial of service connection for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis based on the Veteran's in-service back injury and chronicity of symptoms.
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