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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19156303.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability related to military service, and for left and right leg radiculopathy secondary to that lumbar disability.
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