The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent, and his lumbar spine, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The RO found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for any of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations indicated that the Veteran's cervical spine had forward flexion limited to 30 degrees with painful motion, his lumbar spine had a combined range of motion greater than 120 but less than 235 degrees with painful motion, his left knee had full ranges of motion and complaints of pain during flare-ups, and his right ankle had full ranges of motion. These findings did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- status-post residuals of cervical discectomy and fusion, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the left knee, residuals of a right ankle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 2, 2014
- Citation
- 1419540
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 1419540.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathies, and left lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop. The issues include determining if these conditions are related to service or other factors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors in the development process. The VA is required to provide an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disorders, including any meniscal disability or patellar instability.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee is granted. The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder is remanded.
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