The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The veteran's traumatic arthritis and instability of the right knee are rated at 20% each, with no additional ratings due to limitation of motion or x-ray findings.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was caused by his service-connected right knee disability. The veteran's traumatic arthritis and instability were both rated as 20%, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes, given the presence of occasional incapacitating exacerbations.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, Traumatic arthritis right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 17, 2007
- Citation
- 0729116
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 0729116.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability did not begin during active service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for his low back condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or its functional equivalent.
- Dismissed
The claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine and PTSD were dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, left knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition as they were found to be duplicative appeals. The claim for a neck condition was remanded for further development.
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