The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation throughout the period on appeal, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused significant physical limitations that prevented him from performing his prior employment as a janitor, which required physical labor, concentration, and attendance at normal work hours. The medical evidence supported these functional restrictions.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity sciatica, intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2023
- Citation
- 23019997
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 23019997.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with left sciatica. The right lower extremity sciatica claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on a finding of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatica, leading to the dismissal of these claims.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues due to the Veteran's death.
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