The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% since December 15, 2011; September 19, 2015; and August 6, 2017 respectively. The Veteran’s sinus tachycardia is currently rated at 30%. Erectile dysfunction associated with the lumbar spine disability remains under review.,The Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted for the Veteran's lumbar spine or sinus tachycardia disabilities.
The deciding factor: Higher ratings were denied as the evidence did not show more severe functional impairment of the lumbar spine, and the symptoms associated with the sinus tachycardia do not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not addressed in this decision, but is noted to be under review.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, sinus tachycardia, pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18136402
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 18136402.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 require regular aid and attendance, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as there is no legal authority to assign an earlier effective date, and the RO has already assigned the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, the minimum allowed under VA regulations. The condition involves less than 20% of exposed areas but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition, high blood pressure, and low back condition. Service connection was also denied for pseudofolliculitis barbae.
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