The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) from November 30, 2021.
The deciding factor: The evidence establishes that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at least 60 percent combined.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Right knee strain, Left knee strain, Right knee limitation of extension, Left great toe ingrown toenail
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25040100
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an effective date of July 31, 2012, for TDIU and October 22, 2012, for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone were of such nature and severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for various disabilities and granted earlier effective dates for service connection of scars, but denied an earlier effective date for individual unemployability.
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