The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and arthritis of both knees are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5003. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine does not result in forward flexion less than 90 degrees or an overall range of motion less than 210 degrees, and he has no associated neurological abnormalities. His arthritis of both knees is already rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003 due to limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Arthritis of the Right Knee, Arthritis of the Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1735696
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 1735696.
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 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The Board also found that TDIU was granted as of January 16, 2010, but not earlier.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
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