The veteran's cervical spine arthritis is rated at 10 percent.,Separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for the left shoulder, right hip, and left knee. The lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent.,A 10 percent rating is granted for the left hip from March 15, 1996 to December 11, 1996.,The veteran's right hip is rated at 20 percent effective from March 15, 1996.,For the period from March 15, 1996 to January 31, 2000, separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for arthritis and impairment in both knees. For the period from February 1, 2000 forward, a rating of 20 percent is assigned for arthritis.,The veteran's left knee has been rated at 10 percent since March 15, 1996.,For the period from March 15, 1996 to January 31, 2000, a rating of 10 percent is assigned for arthritis and impairment in both knees. For the period from February 1, 2000 forward, a rating of 20 percent is assigned for arthritis.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated based on their severity as determined by medical evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, Degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Degenerative arthritis of the left hip, Degenerative arthritis of the right hip, Arthritis of the left knee, Arthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0216749
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 0216749.
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 for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine was granted with effective dates of May 13, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was diagnosed during service and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition based on continuity of symptomatology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.
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.