The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was denied because he failed to report for a necessary VA examination without providing good cause.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not provide good cause for missing the required VA examination, which is necessary to properly adjudicate his TDIU claim.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine arthritis, associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2020
- Citation
- A20018257
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 A20018257.
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 Veteran's claim for a higher rating and effective date of January 10, 2024, for his thoracolumbar spine condition was granted. The effective date is based on the date he filed his Intent to File Claim form.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for initial increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and a scar.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis, finding that the evidence supports a direct link between the Veteran's back disability and her military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis and related conditions due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran will receive a VA examination to explore the nature and etiology of his current thoracolumbar spine disorder.
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