The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine and right knee conditions have been denied. The lumbosacral spine condition is rated at 10 percent, effective from August 26, 2008 to July 25, 2018, and the right knee condition remains rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes due to limitations in range of motion and functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, Herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine, Degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19180228
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The appeal for an increased rating for left hip, the claims for entitlement to an earlier effective date and an increased rating for right knee strain, and the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left shoulder strain were dismissed. The claim for a 40 percent rating from June 24, 2021 for degenerative disc disease was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis, but remanded the other issues.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, effective November 21, 2022.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.