The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for chronic lumbar sprain effective July 15, 2006. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic cervical sprain and left knee medial meniscus tear and anterior cruciate ligament tear are denied.

The deciding factor: The VA examination report of December 27, 2004 showed an increase in symptomatology warranting a higher rating from that date, but not earlier since earlier evidence showed nearly asymptomatic disability.

Claimed conditions

Characterized by forward flexion to 30 degrees, extension to 5 degrees, right and left lateral flexion to 20 degrees and rotation to 20 degrees, each with complaints of pain; x-ray evidence of minimal degenerative changes, mild spondylosis and slight narrowing of the L3-4 interspace; muscle tenderness to palpation; no muscle spasm; no neurologic or sensory findings; and no ankylosis., Characterized by forward flexion to 30 degrees, extension to 20 degrees, right and left lateral flexion to 20 degrees and rotation to 20 degrees, each with complaints of pain; x-ray evidence of slight narrowing of the C3-4 and 4-5 interspaces, without degenerative arthritis; muscle tenderness; no muscle spasm, no neurologic or sensory findings; and no ankylosis., Characterized by full extension to 0 degrees, limited flexion to 75 degrees, with complaints of pain; mild crepitation; tenderness to palpation; effusion; and no objective evidence of any recurrent subluxation, lateral instability or ankylosis.

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

April 28, 2006

Citation

0612265

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 0612265.