The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability. The initial rating for the low back disability remains at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine multilevel disc desiccation with herniated extruded nucleolus pulposus on the right at L4/L5, paravertebral muscle spasms
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20035490
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 20035490.
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 Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine multilevel disc desiccation with herniated extruded nucleus pulposus on the right at L4/L5 and paravertebral muscle spasms, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 24, 2010, and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disorder, and to determine if he is entitled to an increased evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. However, the Board granted a TDIU from March 6, 2010 based on evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 20 percent rating, effective July 2, 2007.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.