The Veteran is seeking service connection for mild spondyloarthropathy, disc bulge at L5-S1, mild canal stenosis and mild disc desiccation. The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU effective January 1, 2016.,The Veteran also seeks a TDIU prior to November 11, 2013 due to his service-connected knee disabilities. This claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).,A VA back examination was conducted in June 2014 but did not provide a clear opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU effective January 1, 2016 due to his service-connected knee disabilities. The TDIU claim prior to November 11, 2013 is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).
- Claimed conditions
- mild spondyloarthropathy, disc bulge at L5-S1, mild canal stenosis, mild disc desiccation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2016
- Citation
- 1613167
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 1613167.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 claims for service connection due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the remanded claim.
- Dismissed
The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease and mild canal stenosis. As a result, the claim is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) at L4-5 with disc bulge at L5-S1 is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and additional treatment records.
- Denied
The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent disability evaluation for his back condition was denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to June 23, 1999.
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