The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 40 percent, and the effective date for a 40 percent rating is denied.,Left knee disability ratings were denied, including an initial rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5261 and a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5259. The effective date for service connection for limitation of extension was also denied.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy ratings were denied, as well as the effective dates for these claims.,The Veteran's right 5th metacarpal disability was not rated higher than 0 percent. Service connection for a left upper extremity neurological disability was also denied.,Service connection for a left knee limitation of extension and scars, left knee were denied with no effective date granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 5243 due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,For left knee disabilities, there was no evidence of limitation of extension at 10 degrees and no indication of incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months. The Veteran's scars were not rated based on their disabling effects under Diagnostic Code 7805.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no evidence of incomplete paralysis at most analogous levels (mild in this case).,The right 5th metacarpal disability had various symptoms, including limitation of motion. Service connection for a left upper extremity neurological disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking such condition to service.,Service connection for left knee limitation of extension and scars, left knee were not granted as there was no indication of incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19169224
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 19169224.
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