The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disorder, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremity sciatic nerves, tinnitus, and GERD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disorder, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremity sciatic nerves, tinnitus, and GERD, have significantly impacted his ability to perform work that would be substantially gainful.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc syndrome (back disorder), bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremity sciatic nerves, tinnitus, bilateral ankle sprains, an ingrown toenail, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremity external cutaneous nerve, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- March 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20020661
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 20020661.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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