The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine, right knee, and lumbar strain disabilities were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 28, 2016 and at 20 percent thereafter. The right knee disability received a 10 percent rating from September 3, 2014 to October 28, 2016 and the lumbar strain disability was rated at 10 percent as of October 28, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative joint disease of the right knee, Lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18130931
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 18130931.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no nexus between the current disability and active duty service.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee braces caused wear and tear to his clothing in the year of 2021, leading to a decision granting annual clothing allowances for both knee braces.
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