The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 7, 2010. An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) prior to April 4, 2017, was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's IVDS did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of incapacitating episodes or functional impairment that warranted a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. However, he met the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- 25003540
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,455 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25003540.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 7, 2023 for the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also claimed as a back condition), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.
- Dismissed
The appeal regarding earlier effective dates for IBS and IVDS is dismissed.,The reduction in the rating for painful right toes scars is granted, restoring a 10 percent rating from May 3, 2023.,Increased ratings to 20 percent for lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as of October 21, 2024.,Service connection and increased ratings for left hip conditions, right hip conditions, left knee condition, ED, and depressive disorder are granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied. The effective date of SMC and DEA benefits based on permanent and total disability status is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU was denied as there were no unadjudicated claims for TDIU prior to April 28, 2023. The current effective date is the earliest possible based on the schedular criteria.
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