The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The rating for low back strain, radiculopathy (right lower extremity), PTSD, and somatic symptom pain disorder remain at 40%, 10%, 70%, and 70% respectively. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted from September 18, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes in his low back strain and radiculopathy cases. His PTSD and somatic symptom pain disorder were rated based on their severity, with no total occupational and social impairment demonstrated.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Radiculopathy, right lower extremity (femoral nerve), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Somatic Symptom Pain Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19111715
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,480 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19111715.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hearing loss and low back strain claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the low back strain claim requires additional examination to determine its severity.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, left shoulder, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) based on evidence showing a causal relationship to in-service events or injuries.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed because the March 2020 rating decision, which granted service connection for a low back strain, was never issued and therefore not an appealable decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected low back strain was denied, as the current severity of his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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