The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective July 17, 2008. The ratings for varicose veins in both lower extremities and chondrocalcinosis of the left knee are denied. The Veteran's residual scar from the excision of a cyst on his wrist is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine resulted in forward flexion limited to 60 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5243. The other conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings as they were either stable or improved with treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, Varicose veins right lower extremity, Varicose veins left lower extremity, Chondrocalcinosis medial compartment of left knee, Bilateral plantar fasciitis and small calcaneal spurs, Residual scar, status post excision cyst of the left wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 25, 2011
- Citation
- 1143205
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 1143205.
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 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.
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