The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and found it well-grounded. The claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as extensions of temporary total ratings based on postoperative residuals, have been granted. The effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder remains to be determined.
The deciding factor: The veteran presented new and material evidence supporting her claim for service connection for a low back disability, which was previously denied in July 1984. Her claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities were granted based on the medical evidence indicating that her current conditions are related to her service-connected knee disabilities. The extensions of temporary total ratings were also granted as she required additional convalescence following surgeries for her knee disabilities. However, the effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder remains pending.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disability, Right Knee Postoperative Residuals of Meniscectomy, Left Knee Postoperative Residuals of Meniscectomy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2000
- Citation
- 0008800
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0008800.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
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