The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10% since October 1, 2011.,The Veteran's left ankle and right ankle disabilities are each rated at noncompensable (0%) from October 1, 2011 to June 6, 2014, and in excess of 10% thereafter. The RO has assigned staged ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10% since October 1, 2011, with a separate 10% rating granted for instability as of October 30, 2013.,The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10% since October 1, 2011, with a separate 10% rating granted for instability as of October 30, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability has been manifested by painful limitation of motion and limited range of motion. The RO assigned the lowest possible initial rating (10%) based on these findings.,For the left ankle and right ankle disabilities, the RO considered the Veteran's symptoms but did not find any additional factors warranting a higher rating beyond noncompensable. Staged ratings were applied to reflect changes in disability status over time.,The Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by painful motion with slight instability. The RO assigned the lowest possible initial rating (10%) based on these findings, including the presence of mild instability.,For the right knee disability, the same reasoning applies as for the left knee. The RO assigned a 10% initial rating and granted a separate 10% rating for instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine strain (back disability), Left ankle degenerative joint disease, Right ankle degenerative joint disease, Left knee patellofemoral syndrome, Right knee patellofemoral syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 12, 2018
- Citation
- 1822017
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 1822017.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from May 25, 2016 to January 18, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.
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- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for binge eating disorder and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a 20 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with instability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation due to not meeting the legal criteria.
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