The veteran's low back strain and left knee arthritis are rated at 10 percent each, with the Board granting increased ratings to 20 percent for both conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA medical evidence showed moderate limitation of motion in the lumbar spine and some muscle spasms, warranting a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Strain, Arthritis of the Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 30, 2002
- Citation
- 0218764
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 0218764.
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 claims for service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, PTSD, depression, frequent urination, intermetatarsal neuroma right foot, left knee condition, right knee condition, low back strain, shoulder strain, and tinnitus, due to a failure to provide necessary examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and low back strain, as the earliest possible effective date based on his August 5, 2023, intent to file was already assigned.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back strain prior to July 29, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or unfavorable ankylosis.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as TDIU effective February 21, 2024.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective February 21, 2024.,An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,A higher rating of hypertension is denied.
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