The veteran's service-connected low back injury is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, effective November 2, 1994. The evaluations for the left knee and foreign object removed from the left foot remain unchanged.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's low back injury met the criteria for a 40% evaluation based on marked limitation of motion on forward bending and joint space narrowing.
- Claimed conditions
- Foreign Object Removed from Left Foot, Left Knee Injury, Low Back Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 5, 2003
- Citation
- 0302170
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,987 · Granted: 15% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0302170.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 31, 2014 to the present. The VA Regional Office is required to consider whether any rules concerning finality bar its consideration of TDIU for any period and specify the claim period in its decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 12, 2017 is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) based on evidence indicating she has been unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since at least April 24, 2013.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee injuries due to a need for further examination and consideration of functional loss factors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of right and left knee injuries due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's lay statements regarding a plane crash during active duty are considered, but VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his knee disabilities.
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