The Veteran's combined total rating was correctly calculated as 80 percent prior to March 11, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated and combined according to the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, resulting in a combined rating of 80 percent prior to March 11, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- compression fracture T5-6-7 with low back disability, herniated nucleus L5-S1, diabetic retinopathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, limited motion of the thoracic spine, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral and sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- March 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1817518
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 1817518.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus II as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected breast cancer, but dismissed claims for a compensable rating for fibrocystic breast disease, bilateral and for service connection of diabetic retinopathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic retinopathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II are currently rated at 20 percent, 0 percent, and 10 percent respectively. The appeal is granted for the increased rating of diabetes mellitus type II.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his spine disorder. The veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD, and his compression fracture of T5-6-7 with low back disability has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis or neurological abnormalities.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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