The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine has prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability limits his ability to stand, walk, sit, and bend for extended periods, interfering with his ability to perform skilled, manual work in physically demanding settings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21070041
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21070041.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 40 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability to schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and, if so, whether he has required bed rest prescribed by a physician during any 12-month period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation from April 15, 2015, to April 7, 2016, and from June 1, 2016, to the present. The RO also increased his evaluations for radiculopathy affecting the left sciatic nerve, right sciatic nerve, left femoral nerve, and right femoral nerve.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 31, 2018, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied. The earliest possible effective date is October 31, 2018.
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