The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to work for over a year with substantial disability ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had been working in a security/janitorial position for over a year before stopping due to physical limitations documented by his employer and physician's assistant. The evidence does not support permanent restrictions that would preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) status post spinal fusion, left lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement, right lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement, pseudofolliculitis barbae, surgical scar associated with IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy with femoral nerve involvement, right lower extremity radiculopathy with femoral nerve involvement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- December 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19194345
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 19194345.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are due to any incident of his period of active service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left foot swelling/pain, a left ankle condition, and tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a compensable evaluation of service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and for service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis, migraines headaches, left foot bunions (hallux valgus), right foot bunions (hallux valgus), and tinnitus to ensure proper development.
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