The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease L4-5 was granted. His claim for service connection for a left knee condition remains denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided range of motion testing revealing flexion of 80 degrees, extension of 30 degrees, bilateral lateral flexion of 30 degrees, and bilateral lateral rotation of 45 degrees without evidence of pain with motion or additional loss of function. The Veteran's symptoms were noted to be chronic and associated with muscle spasms.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis, Degenerative disc disease L4-5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2013
- Citation
- 1310120
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 1310120.
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 due to insufficient medical opinions provided prior to the August 2020 rating decision. The AOJ must obtain updated medical opinions addressing the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including traumatic arthritis and thoracolumbar spine status post fusion, have resulted in the effective loss of use of both feet. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to these conditions. Additionally, the Veteran is also receiving SMC at the housebound rate based on his 100% disability rating from traumatic arthritis, thoracolumbar spine status post fusion.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and related nerve radiculopathy issues has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to incomplete evidence, including VA treatment records not being associated with his file. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
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