The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings were granted, with the DDD of the lumbosacral spine receiving a 40 percent rating effective August 3, 2006. The right knee, left ankle pain, and right ankle pain each received initial noncompensable (0%) ratings effective October 7, 2008.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine was rated at 40 percent since August 3, 2006 based on its current functional impairment and without considering any incapacitating episodes. The right knee, left ankle pain, and right ankle pain were each assigned initial noncompensable ratings as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, DJD of the right knee, Right ankle pain, Left ankle pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 17, 2011
- Citation
- 1119041
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 1119041.
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 remanded the claims for service connection for various joint and back disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations, which were required by the Veterans Court. The Veteran's assertions include injuries from falls during service and wear and tear from his job as a bridge crewmember.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all claims for service connection as the AOJ had not yet issued a decision on these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an adequate VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, particularly in relation to limited range of motion and associated functional impairment.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and right ankle pain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome, but denied an earlier effective date for the evaluation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.
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