The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbosacral strain was denied. A 40 percent disability rating, but not higher, was granted from January 8, 2015 to August 15, 2019 for the Veteran’s chronic lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's left and right knee conditions were also rated based on their specific disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain was found to meet the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating from January 8, 2015 to August 15, 2019. The other knee conditions were also rated based on their specific disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbosacral strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20040049
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 20040049.
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 Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted the restoration of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), effective May 1, 2020. The decision was made due to procedural errors in the previous termination decisions.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial disability ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and depression have been granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from January 21, 2009.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist, specifically regarding obtaining private treatment records from Dr. R and a retrospective medical opinion.
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