The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for his chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, as well as service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The initial rating of 10 percent was granted prior to August 6, 2004, but not in excess of that level thereafter.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed the veteran's symptoms were consistent with chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, which did not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided by the Rating Schedule. The knee disability claim was denied as there was no evidence supporting service connection for retropatellar pain syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 1, 2005
- Citation
- 0529220
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 0529220.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ankle strain with achilles tendonitis of the right heel, chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, lipoma of the lower back, chondromalacia of the right knee, chondromalacia of the left knee, and corneal scar and endothelial pigmentation of the right eye have been granted effective January 1, 1996. The Veteran's claim for lateral collateral ligament strain of the left ankle was dismissed as moot. The Veteran's claim for achilles tendonitis of the left heel associated with left ankle disability is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.