The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence supported denying a higher rating for the low back disability due to lack of objective findings supporting a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms. The TDIU claim was granted as her combined service-connected disability rating met the minimum schedular requirements and she had difficulty with work due to her disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Eye Disability, Fibromyalgia, Radiculopathy - Right Lower Extremity, Myofacial Pain Syndrome - Cervical Spine, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Bilateral Plantar Fascitis, Tinnitus, Left Patellofemoral Syndrome, Right Patellofemoral Syndrome, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Residual Scar from Cesarean Section, Allergic Rhinitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Migraine Headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18103999
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 18103999.
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 bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
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