The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar strain, knee disabilities, and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for chronic lumbar strain, 10 percent for left knee disability since April 29, 2008, and 10 percent for right knee disability since April 29, 2008. The bilateral pes planus did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbar strain, Left knee synovitis, Right knee synovitis, Bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 13, 2012
- Citation
- 1201534
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 1201534.
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 Board dismissed the appeals pertaining to effective dates for increased ratings of chronic lumbar strain and LLE radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran did not properly opt into the AMA system.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for chronic lumbar strain, and denied other claims.
- Denied
The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 3, 2014, as the evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for a back brace, left ankle brace, and left knee brace in 2021 due to insufficient evidence of damage to clothing. The claim for menthol camphor gel topical medication was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.
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