The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at over 40 percent combined, meeting the schedular criteria for TDIU. The evidence shows that his conditions prevent him from working due to pain and functional limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) with degenerative joint disease (DJD), Spinal stenosis, Radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, Osteoarthritis of the right and left hip, Osteoarthritis of the left and right knee, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20013439
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 20013439.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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