The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, rated at 40 percent, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since May 10, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's severe lumbar strain significantly impairs his ability to perform the physical demands of most jobs, necessitating a TDIU rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine (lumbar spine disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26030946
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26030946.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 28, 2020 due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will need another VA examination to address these issues.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than the current assigned rating, while other issues like radiculopathy of the lower extremities and left clavicle disability received initial or partial grants of benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right thumb disability, and bilateral pes planus require additional examinations to determine their current severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.