The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate, as well as a 20 percent disability rating for both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 1, 2021.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrates that the Veteran's service-connected back disability alone results in functional impairment that precludes him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. Additionally, he meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate and a higher rating for his lower extremity radiculopathy based on moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Back disability, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25044625
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 Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy but remanded the back disability claim for further development.
- 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 service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, a back disability, heart disability, and residuals of a stroke, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service or caused by his service-connected left ear disabilities.
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