The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbar disabilities were denied. A TDIU was granted effective October 1, 2018.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show flexion limited to less than 30 degrees in any of the joints, which is required for a higher rating under DC 5260 and DC 5237. The Veteran's lumbar strain was rated as 10 percent disabling, but his other knee disabilities were also rated at 10 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Recurrent left knee strain, Recurrent right knee strain, Recurrent lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20044104
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 20044104.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent lumbar strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for recurrent lumbar strain since November 2009, with a 30% rating granted since April 29, 2014 for his migraines.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals pertaining to the claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, mild quadriceps patella tendonitis, and recurrent lumbar strain.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his recurrent lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's recurrent lumbar strain was granted an initial compensable evaluation for the period prior to July 10, 2006 and a noncompensable rating thereafter. The Board found that his symptomatology warranted a higher evaluation from July 9, 2004.
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