The Board found that the veteran's preexisting right hand burn residuals were aggravated by active military duty, and granted service connection for this condition. The initial evaluation for degenerative disc disease with disc herniation at L4-L5 level was granted at a 60 percent rating. The claim for an increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the right knee was denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's preexisting burn injury to his right hand worsened during service, resulting in more severe disability than before entry into service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease with Disc Herniation at L4-L5 level, Chondromalacia, Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 25, 2000
- Citation
- 0005032
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 0005032.
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
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- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40% from September 12, 2024 to the present. Service connection for a low back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of causation or aggravation by service-connected right knee disability.
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