The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, right hip arthritis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and ruptured right Achilles tendon, have resulted in loss of use of his right leg. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss or loss of use of one leg at a level, or with complications preventing natural knee action with prosthesis in place.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions collectively resulted in significant impairment and loss of function in his right lower extremity, necessitating the use of assistive devices such as crutches, cane, wheelchair, and specialized vehicle adaptations. The Board found that these conditions met the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(m).
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Right hip arthritis, Right knee patellofemoral syndrome, Ruptured right Achilles tendon
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 38%
- Decision date
- January 12, 2016
- Citation
- 1601226
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 1601226.
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 Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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