The Board has determined that service connection for a bilateral hip disability is granted, and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on continuity of symptoms since service separation. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet criteria for higher evaluations due to lack of incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hip Disability, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 5, 2013
- Citation
- 1307401
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 1307401.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back and right knee disabilities due to improper filing deadlines.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertension and bilateral hip disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any other compensable basis.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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