The Veteran's service-connected low back disability does not render him unemployable, as he has maintained employment in his field of construction despite the pain and limitations caused by his condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was able to maintain employment in construction management until recently, showing that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- low back pain with traumatic arthritis, radiculopathy right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), radiculopathy right lower extremity (femoral nerve), radiculopathy of left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), radiculopathy of left lower extremity (femoral nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21065811
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 21065811.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for proposed decreases in disability ratings were dismissed as the proposals were not final decisions at the time of the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), and radiculopathy right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), right shoulder condition, and flat feet. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings do not meet the criteria for TDIU and there is insufficient evidence of record regarding his employment status.
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