The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating on an extraschedular basis for his low back disability prior to May 23, 2011 was denied. The Veteran is in receipt of SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to loss of use of both feet.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability resulted in an exceptional or unusual disability picture as to render impractical the application of the regular rating schedule criteria, nor did it cause marked industrial impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Spondylosis with Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine (Back Disability), Tinnitus, Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21004476
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 21004476.
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 Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
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