The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to June 25, 2014 and from June 25, 2014. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The left knee patella tendon tear and instability are both rated at 20 percent. The right Achilles tendonitis is rated at 20 percent. The bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent prior to June 25, 2014 and from that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to have forward flexion limited to 20 degrees due to pain, resulting in a 40 percent rating under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent as it meets criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis. The left knee patella tendon tear and instability are both rated at 20 percent due to their respective diagnoses. The right Achilles tendonitis is rated at 20 percent based on its diagnosis. The bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent prior to June 25, 2014 and from that date.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Disability, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Left Knee Patella Tendon Tear, Left Knee Instability, Right Achilles Tendonitis, Bilateral Pes Planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19174430
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 19174430.
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 service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
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