The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis is granted, but he does not meet the criteria for a separate 20 percent evaluation for left knee disability. The effective date remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was limited to 30 degrees or less due to pain, fatigue, weakness, and lack of endurance, which corresponds to the maximum schedular rating available under the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine (Diagnostic Codes 5235-5242).
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1638308
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 1638308.
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 left knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective December 18, 2025. The Veteran also received separate ratings for instability and dislocation of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to inadequate examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination report.
- Granted
The reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disability ratings from 40% to 20% was improper, and the prior ratings are restored.
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