The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity was denied as the symptoms are described by the schedular criteria and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted, with the Board finding that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating under either the General Rating Formula or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.,The Veteran's radiculopathy symptoms are described by the schedular criteria and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, rheumatoid arthritis (implied by context)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19147371
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,088 · Granted: 33% (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 19147371.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder strain, lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 80 percent for these service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period since February 15, 2015. The effective date of this grant is set at February 15, 2015.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination and missing private treatment records. The Veteran's recurrent hemorrhoids, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease are being reviewed for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the cervical spine during the appeal period and denied service connection for this condition. The lumbar spine issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.
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