The veteran's low back strain and right knee disability are rated at 20% and 10%, respectively. The Board granted an increased rating of 40% for the low back strain, finding that it meets the criteria for such a rating. However, the right knee disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings supported by MRI results indicated significant degenerative changes in the veteran's lumbar spine and right knee, warranting an increased rating of 40% for his low back strain.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Right knee injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2005
- Citation
- 0501563
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 0501563.
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 claim for an increased rating for low back strain to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including the side effects of medication taken to treat his back disability, precluded substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from December 2, 2019 to June 15, 2021 on an extraschedular basis.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back strain based on the evidence showing that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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