The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 1, 1977. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of this rating for the lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to the lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as he has not demonstrated unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The bilateral knee disabilities were found to be not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated disc lumbar spine, L5-S1, Left lower extremity (LLE) neuritis, Right lower extremity (RLE) neuritis, Bilateral knee disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2018
- Citation
- 1818726
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 1818726.
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 the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2012, for a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable within one year prior to his July 18, 2012, claim.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a back disability and initial compensable ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions. The appellant's claims will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and addendum medical opinions to clarify the effects of flareups and repeated use over time.
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.