The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 20 percent prior to November 17, 2014 and 40 percent thereafter, which the Board found not sufficient to warrant higher ratings. Service connection for a left knee disability was granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability or service connection for his left knee disability based on the criteria provided in the decision.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with chronic low back pain, left knee disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 2, 2016
- Citation
- 1617333
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 1617333.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these issues have been addressed in a separate docket.
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