The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain/sprain syndrome, left knee arthritis, and right knee traumatic arthritis were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions warranted an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not manifested by favorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting specific criteria for higher ratings under the amended schedule for rating spine disabilities. His left knee and right knee disabilities were also found to not meet criteria warranting higher initial ratings based on specific manifestations such as impairment of the tibia and fibula, ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, removal of symptomatic semilunar cartilage, limitation of leg flexion to 30 degrees or less, or limitation of leg extension.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain/sprain syndrome, left knee arthritis, right knee traumatic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2011
- Citation
- 1136309
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 1136309.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for left and right knee arthritis, thus the appeal is dismissed.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of functional impairment. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if any service-connected disability results in loss of use of both lower extremities, one lower extremity and one upper extremity, or residuals affecting balance and propulsion.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his disabilities do not meet the requirements of SMC under this section.
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