The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was restored to a 20% rating effective March 1, 2016. The compensable rating for residuals of rheumatic fever with migratory arthritis is denied. A 60% rating for the left knee disability is granted prior to July 17, 2013. The Veteran's dermatophytosis of the bilateral feet and right hip is rated at 10%. The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylolisthesis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy improved to a point where he was better able to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, warranting restoration of the 20% rating. The residuals of rheumatic fever with migratory arthritis have resolved without residuals. The left knee disability is rated at 60%. The dermatophytosis has resolved without residuals. The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylolisthesis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Dermatophytosis of the bilateral feet and right hip, Left knee disability, status post total left knee arthroplasty (TKA), Residuals of rheumatic fever with migratory arthritis, Right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19138038
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 631 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19138038.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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