The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic low back strain and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent each effective from the date of this decision.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports showed severe limitation of motion in both the cervical spine and the lumbar spine, warranting the highest available ratings under relevant diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Eye Condition, Chronic Low Back Strain with Evidence of Mild, Diffuse Bulging at L5-S1 Annulus, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine, Left Knee Medial Meniscectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 22, 2001
- Citation
- 0114350
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 0114350.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD has been readjudicated due to the submission of relevant new evidence.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral eye condition, headaches, low back condition, lung cancer, and Parkinson's disease with tremors have also been readjudicated due to the submission of relevant new evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability (status post total knee arthroplasty) is rated at 60 percent prior to December 10, 2024 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. His left knee disability remains at 10 percent. The bilateral eye condition was initially rated at 10 percent but increased to 20 percent beginning December 12, 2024. TDIU is granted prior to August 1, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to a lack of VA examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence, including his National Guard service.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was found to not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it did not result in forward flexion of 15 degrees or less and there was no evidence of favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.
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