The Veteran is granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with history of left trapezius strain, effective from December 20, 2004.,A separate 10 percent rating is granted for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, effective from February 8, 2010. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, both effective from November 2, 2008.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been evaluated based on its current manifestations, including pain with limited range of motion. The lumbar spine disability is rated based on its fusion status post L4-L5 and L5-S1, while the right knee arthritis is rated based on its arthroscopic history.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status post L4-L5 and L5-S1 fusion, Right knee arthritis, status post arthroscopy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 19, 2012
- Citation
- 1202084
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 1202084.
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 Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no nexus between the current disability and active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities prior to October 22, 2008 are being remanded due to the need for additional retrospective medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.
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