The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened, and the claim is now granted. The initial rating for left knee chondromalacia remains at 10 percent, while the initial rating for right knee chondromalacia with posterior horn and meniscus tear remains denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a link between the Veteran's service and his lumbar spine disability, but was at least in equipoise as to whether it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The initial ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia were found to be appropriate based on the symptoms reported.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19156303
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 19156303.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these issues have been addressed in a separate docket.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for the lumbar spine disability and right knee and calf disabilities.
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