The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, earlier effective dates, TDIU on an extraschedular basis, and SMC at the housebound rate due to his lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date as there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to the November 3, 2015 examination, and the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability alone did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2025
- Citation
- 25013342
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