The Veteran's left eye disability is rated at 30 percent prior to September 7, 2017, and 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent.,Both conditions are rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory of service connection.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not demonstrate incapacitating episodes attributable to the left eye disabilities, and the current ratings reflect the severity of the Veteran's vision loss. The lumbar spine disability is currently rated at its maximum allowable under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Spine.,There are no indications in the record that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a higher rating based on functional loss due to flare-ups, pain, or other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Eye Traumatic Maculopathy with Resultant Vision Loss, Pseudophakia, and Traumatic Aniridia, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2023
- Citation
- 23024330
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 23024330.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that his back disability may be related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to independently ambulate without aids.
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