The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The rating for osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with history of T-12 and L-1 compression fracture is denied, as are the claims for sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity prior to February 24, 2017 and left lower extremity prior to February 24, 2017. The rating for sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity since February 24, 2017 is denied, as are those for the left lower extremity.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support higher ratings based on the severity of the Veteran's conditions and symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), Sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity (LLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20041292
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 20041292.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period of March 31, 2016 to November 13, 2016.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus denying her claim for TDIU.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in all four issues related to cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right elbow, and left knee conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 24, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from that date.
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