The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective January 14, 2018, but denied increased ratings for the lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's lumbar or cervical spine disabilities caused unfavorable ankylosis during any portion of the appeal period, but his self-employment from January 14, 2018 onward constituted marginal employment and his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine disability, Cervical spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2025
- Citation
- 25009136
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches, CFS, dermatosis, bilateral RLS, a lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea but denied a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and right leg nerve disability as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.
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