The Veteran's ddd of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent prior to May 5, 2014 and at 60 percent since then. The Board found no evidence supporting a higher rating for any period.,TDIU was denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 28, 2014.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a higher rating based on the criteria in the Rating Schedule. The Veteran’s disability has been rated appropriately under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 28, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2018
- Citation
- 1819269
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 1819269.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that his back disability may be related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to independently ambulate without aids.
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