The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated based on the symptoms of pain and limitation of motion, which are adequately described by the current schedular rating criteria. The Board has not found any evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unemployable.,For the period prior to March 25, 2013, and after January 31, 2014, the Veteran was employed full-time as a quality assurance worker and demonstrated the ability to secure and follow gainful occupation. Therefore, a TDIU is not warranted during these periods.,For the period from March 25, 2013, to January 31, 2014, the Veteran was on medical leave due to his low back disability when he was laid off from his job. The Board has referred this issue to VA's Director of Compensation for consideration under section 4.16(b) of the regulations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated based on its symptoms, which are adequately described by the current schedular rating criteria. There is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities alone render him unemployable.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20024674
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 20024674.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the severity of his low back disability, including whether he has experienced incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
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