The Veteran's left knee condition was rated based on the limitation of flexion. The evidence does not show that his range of motion in his left knee was limited to 60 degrees or less prior to October 6, 2010.,For the period from December 1, 2011 to September 15, 2015, the Veteran is in receipt of the highest schedular rating for any disability of the left knee or leg in the absence of an amputation. The evidence does not show that his spine was ankylosed or he had Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS).
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 6, 2010.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the left knee, Lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151689
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 18151689.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a deficiency in the April 2024 VA medical examination, specifically regarding passive range of motion testing for pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, diagnosed as DDD and a lumbosacral strain, has been granted service connection. The Board found that the disability is related to his military service.
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