The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic low back pain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The combined rating for the Veteran's service-connected conditions is 90 percent, meeting the threshold disability percentage requirements for consideration of a TDIU on a schedular basis. However, the VA examiner's opinions are inadequate as they do not consider all of the Veteran's symptoms in relation to occupational impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back pain, lumbar disc disease with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, degenerative arthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2018
- Citation
- 1805181
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1805181.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The claims for increased ratings and individual unemployability have all been dismissed.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and remanded the claim for adjustment disorder. The Veteran's radiculopathy is not shown to be related to his military service, while his adjustment disorder may be related to civilian life.
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