The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the residuals of compression fractures at T12, L1, and L2 with disruption of the pars articularis of L4 and degenerative changes. The veteran's left knee replacement is rated as 60 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine condition meets the criteria for a higher 50 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, effective September 23, 2002. The left knee replacement is rated as 60 percent disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of compression fractures of the 12th thoracic (T12), first lumbar (L1), and second lumbar (L2) vertebrae, degenerative changes, postoperative residuals of a left knee replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 18, 2005
- Citation
- 0513461
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 0513461.
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 Board has granted service connection for a left knee strain with degenerative changes, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and an incomplete record of chiropractic care. The Veteran is requested to provide or authorize VA to obtain his treatment records from chiropractors, and an addendum opinion will be provided by a VA examiner.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his lumbar spine disability, right leg radiculopathy, and scars are being remanded due to procedural errors. The VA will need to correct these issues before the claims can be reconsidered.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, claimed as Schmorl's nodes and degenerative changes, is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board requires the AOJ to obtain inpatient treatment records from Tripler Army Medical Center and provide medical opinions regarding the cause of his cervical spine disability.
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