The veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to June 11, 2002 and at 20 percent from June 11, 2002. The left knee disability warrants a noncompensable rating. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 10 percent. Bilateral trigger finger disabilities are each rated as noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The veteran's low back disability was found to warrant staged ratings of 10 percent prior to June 11, 2002 and 20 percent from that date onward based on the severity of his symptoms. The left knee disability did not meet criteria for a compensable rating. Pseudofolliculitis barbae met the criteria for a 10 percent rating. Bilateral trigger finger disabilities were found to be noncompensably disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disability (Degenerative Disc Disease), Left Knee Disability, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, Bilateral Trigger Finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 25, 2005
- Citation
- 0523330
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 0523330.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in assigning an effective date of June 19, 2002.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
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