The Veteran's low back DDD was granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, prior to March 3, 2009. From March 3, 2009 to November 16, 2011, the Veteran received a 40 percent rating for his low back DDD. Since July 17, 2015, he was denied any higher ratings. The left knee patellofemoral arthritis and right knee patellofemoral arthritis were granted separate ratings based on their specific manifestations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back DDD met the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5293 (IVDS) from November 30, 1995 to March 3, 2009 and again from March 3, 2009 to November 16, 2011. Since July 17, 2015, the Veteran's low back DDD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- low back degenerative disc disease (DDD), left knee patellofemoral arthritis, right knee patellofemoral arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19131344
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right hand degenerative joint disease, left hand degenerative joint disease, right knee arthritis, left knee patellofemoral arthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter of service connection for right knee patellofemoral arthritis to correct duty to assist errors.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's low back disability effective January 17, 2023, based on evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back degenerative disc disease was granted service connection as it is considered a direct result of her military service.
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