The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus with post-traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, despite the 20 percent rating assigned for his back disability.

Claimed conditions

herniated nucleus pulposus with post-traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, hemorrhoids, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), status post fracture right distal tibia, osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips, left ankle deltoid ligament sprain, tinnitus

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

100%

Decision date

November 5, 2025

Citation

A25096277

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine