The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee arthralgia, left knee arthralgia, and lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and spondylolisthesis (lumbar spine disability) have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability from February 20, 2007 to September 9, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to be limited in forward flexion to 60 degrees with pain on repetitive testing, which is rated at 20 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his disability had not resulted in ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Right Knee Arthralgia"}, {"condition_name":"Left Knee Arthralgia"}, {"condition_name":"Lumbosacral Strain with Spondylosis and Spondylolisthesis (Lumbar Spine Disability)"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20006459
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
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