The Board granted a 60 percent evaluation for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine since July 18, 1997. The veteran's right and left knee meniscectomy disabilities are rated at 20 percent each.
The deciding factor: The veteran's multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine caused persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy with characteristic pain since July 18, 1997. The Board found that this warranted a 60 percent evaluation under the revised criteria for evaluating intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee meniscectomy, right knee meniscectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- June 16, 2006
- Citation
- 0617742
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,582 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0617742.
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 disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant as they do not result in anatomical loss or use of both hands, blindness in both eyes, deep partial thickness burns, full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the initial 20 percent and subsequent 40 percent ratings for service-connected multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.
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