The veteran's cervical spine disability with left arm radiculopathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted. The right knee arthritis is not compensable under current criteria, while the left knee arthritis warrants an increased rating to 20 percent. Genital herpes does not warrant a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The veteran's cervical spine disability with left arm radiculopathy meets the schedular criteria for a higher 60 percent evaluation based on chronic cervical pain and tenderness, degenerative arthritis affecting multiple spinal levels, and associated neurological symptoms. The right knee arthritis does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent. The left knee arthritis is more severe with limited range of motion and functional loss due to pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability with left arm radiculopathy, Arthritic changes of the right knee, Arthritic changes of the left knee, Genital herpes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- June 9, 2000
- Citation
- 0015380
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 0015380.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a higher initial rating for genital herpes due to insufficient evidence regarding the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for genital herpes, migraine, and service connection for shin splints.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total service-connected disability affecting both lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of assistive devices.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) based on the anatomical loss of 25 percent or more of tissue from a single breast is dismissed because the Veteran is already in receipt of SMC under this provision.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.