The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee disorder (to include osteoarthritis), and right knee lateral instability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for any condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was within the limits required for a non-compensable evaluation under DC 5242, and there were no additional factors contributing to his lumbar spine disorder that would warrant a higher rating. For the knee disorders, the evidence did not show limitation of flexion or lateral instability severe enough to warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee disorder (osteoarthritis), right knee disorder (osteoarthritis, arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and meniscus repair)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20005944
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,242 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20005944.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied, and his claims for right knee, left knee, right hand, left hand, GERD, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied. The effective date of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted on December 14, 2022.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of left knee condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis is dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction over the August 2021 rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis are granted.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder labral tear, including superior labral anterior-posterior lesion. The appeal is dismissed.
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