The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, left knee replacement, right knee patella fracture, DDD lumbar spine with anteriololisthesis, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and tinnitus.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied as it was not submitted within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's claim was filed on October 18, 2010.,The Veteran’s evaluation for a lumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent and needs to be remanded due to insufficient range of motion findings in the previous examinations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.,The effective date cannot be earlier than October 18, 2010 as it was not submitted within one year after separation from service. The claim was filed on this date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability evaluation needs to be remanded due to insufficient range of motion findings in the previous examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- DDD lumbar spine with anteriololisthesis, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20066843
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 961 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20066843.
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.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
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