The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for low back disability rated as 10 percent disabling from September 19, 2011 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for low back disability rated as 20 percent disabling from December 10, 2012 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 13, 2013 was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 13, 2013.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20004672
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and foraminal stenosis based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine to obtain a new medical opinion that considers an in-service injury after appropriate efforts are made to obtain the appellant's service treatment records.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral neuropathy below the hips, and a skin disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for further development and readjudication due to an incomplete medical nexus opinion.
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