The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was denied. The reduction of the left knee disability rating from 20% to 10% was not proper, and restoration of the 20% rating is granted. A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for right knee surgical scars is denied. An increased disability rating higher than 30% for residuals of right knee torn meniscus with chondromalacia is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 70% for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 10% for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 10% for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The effective date earlier than July 1, 2014 for the award of a 30 percent rating for the right knee disability is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show sustained improvement in the left knee disability under ordinary conditions of life and work at the time of the reduction.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Pes Planus, Left Knee Chondromalacia (left knee disability), Right Knee Surgical Scars, Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood (psychiatric disability), Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease with Spondylosis (back disability), Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 10, 2018
- Citation
- 18156745
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 18156745.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable rating for athletes' foot and a greater than 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus have been dismissed due to untimely VA Form 10182 submissions.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been remanded.
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