The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is denied. The claim for an increased rating for total left hip replacement is granted to a 70 percent evaluation, and the claim for an increased rating for posterior cruciate ligament tear of the left knee remains at 30 percent. A separate 10 percent evaluation is assigned for limitation of flexion of the left knee.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was less likely than not related to the service-connected left hip replacement, and therefore denied service connection. The veteran's total left hip replacement is currently rated at 50 percent due to marked severe residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion following implantation of prosthesis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, Posterior cruciate ligament tear of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- July 24, 2006
- Citation
- 0621713
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,480 · Granted: 26% (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 0621713.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the May 2013 rating decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a retrospective medical opinion to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.
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.