The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as 20 percent disabling since December 3, 2014.,Prior to December 3, 2014, the Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc displacement L4-L5. Since then, he is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since February 9, 2009 and increased to 20 percent effective December 3, 2014. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's left knee laxity was initially granted a 10 percent rating from February 9, 2009. Since then, he has been rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by moderate sciatic neuritis since December 3, 2014.,Prior to December 3, 2014, the Veteran had limitation of flexion in his thoracolumbar spine with occasional flare-ups. Since then, there has been no evidence of spinal ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome.,The right knee disability resulted in limited flexion but not extension. There was no additional functional impairment from weakened movement, excess fatigability, pain, or flare-ups.,The left knee laxity has been manifested by limitation of flexion without any additional functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc displacement L4-L5, right knee degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia, chondromalacia patella of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1545862
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 1545862.
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 Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left lower extremity radiculopathy or any related symptoms causing impairment in earning capacity during the appeal period, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.
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