The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted a 60% evaluation, and he is granted individual unemployability (TDIU). The rating for tinnitus remains at 10%. No new evidence was received to reopen other claims.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s back disability resulted in incapacitating episodes with total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months, warranting a 60% evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases or Injuries of the Spine. The TDIU was granted as his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Restrictive Lung Disease, Right Side Radiculopathy/Sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19191627
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 19191627.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's GERD was granted a 60 percent disability rating, and the June 15, 2020 VA Form 10182 for service connection claims was accepted as timely due to good cause shown.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and VA treatment records, as well as potential exposure to burn pit toxins. The Veteran's respiratory disabilities are presumed related to his service in Saudi Arabia under the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected right ankle and right hip disabilities. However, it denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right lower extremity radiculopathy.
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