The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent since January 12, 2009. The rating for his right knee arthritis and instability with surgical scar are both rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran had no more than low back pain that radiated into the lower extremities, flare-ups resulting in an inability to get up on his own, a need for assistance getting on and off the toilet, antalgic gait, guarding, use of a cane and back brace, absent deep tendon reflexes, and forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1707310
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 1707310.
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 service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder tendonitis, cervical strain, chondromalacia patella right knee, lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain, episodes of locking left knee, left knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia patella status-post surgery, and limitation of extension left knee, have rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 15, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain, left knee arthritis, and left ankle arthritis due to inadequate examinations that did not address flare-ups of the disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent left ear infections was denied. His PTSD received a 30% initial evaluation, which is granted. The claims for hemorrhoids and lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain (back disability) are remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.