The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and denied entitlement to TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting VA criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or IVDS Formula. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions did not prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, tinnitus, left hemifacial spasm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 3, 2018
- Citation
- 1819700
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 1819700.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected back and sciatica disabilities. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.
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