The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was increased to 20 percent effective September 22, 2008. The other service-connected conditions were not rated higher.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability manifested painful flexion limited to 50 degrees with additional limitation due to pain and lack of endurance upon repetitive testing, which is consistent with a 20 percent rating under the general formula for diseases and injuries of the spine. The other conditions did not warrant higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Knee, Right Foot Status Post Bunionectomy with Degenerative Joint Disease of the First MTP Joint, Left Foot Bunion with Degenerative Joint Disease of the First MTP Joint, Iron-Deficient Anemia, Crohn's Disease, Cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 31, 2011
- Citation
- 1112737
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 1112737.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's primary open angle glaucoma with cataracts, as well as a determination of whether he has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes. The case is being remanded to allow for these determinations.
- Granted
The Board has restored service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and remanded the issue of service connection for Crohn's Disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination report.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current eye disabilities are related to service or preexisted with no superimposed injury during service. The VA must obtain a supplemental opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.
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