The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's low back syndrome with left sacroiliac joint pain and degenerative disc disease, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), left lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), and osteoarthritis of the right knee remain unchanged at 10 percent each.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated significant degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, including disc bulge, herniation, spinal stenosis, and anterior subluxation. The veteran's symptoms included severe pain, weakness, numbness, and limited range of motion, which were consistent with a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Syndrome with Degenerative Disc Disease, Left Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Degenerative Disc Disease, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Secondary to Service-Connected Low Back Syndrome), Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Secondary to Service-Connected Low Back Syndrome), Osteoarthritis of the Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2005
- Citation
- 0533844
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 0533844.
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 Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, hypertension as secondary to PTSD is granted, and the Veteran is granted TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD. Osteoarthritis of the right knee is not related to service, but she is granted SMC due to her service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the April 2010 rating decision remanding for additional development, specifically requesting an examination to address inconsistencies in the February 2020 VA examination report and to obtain updated treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disabilities are currently rated as 30% (instability) and 10% (flexion limitation).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether his right shoulder disability is aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability and whether any of his claimed disabilities are related to obesity or weight gain secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee instability was granted a rating of 30 percent effective from August 25, 2021. A separate 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee with painful limitation of flexion is also granted since July 13, 2009.
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