The veteran's low back strain with disc herniation and arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, while his right knee arthritis remains at 10 percent. The right knee instability issue was also granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's symptoms were consistent with a diagnosis of radiculopathy due to spinal stenosis and herniated nucleus pulposus in the lumbar spine, which supported his claim for increased ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Right knee arthritis, Right knee instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 12, 2002
- Citation
- 0217996
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 0217996.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right knee instability and a 20 percent rating for painful and/or limited motion of the right knee, but denied a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD) with degenerative arthritis and retrolisthesis from February 16, 2021. Other claims were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, with the exception of granting a 10 percent rating for right knee instability.
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