The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected DDD and strain of the lumbosacral spine was granted, as were claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC based on loss of use of both feet. The decision also addressed a separate issue regarding TDIU.
The deciding factor: The veteran's low back condition has been rated at 60 percent since April 12, 1993, with no changes in the rating criteria or effective dates for service connection and SMC based on loss of use of both feet. The decision also addressed a claim for TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and strain of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 30, 2007
- Citation
- 0709436
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 0709436.
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.
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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