The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 60 percent for his low back disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ankylosis of the spine, which is required for a higher rating under DC 5243. For TDIU, the Veteran met the schedular criteria due to multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish unfavorable ankylosis of the spine, which is required for a higher rating under DC 5243. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted based on his schedular entitlement and the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain, degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18161161
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 18161161.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the one for an increased rating for low back strain.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding inadequate medical opinions due to failure to consider all relevant evidence.
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