The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with L4-5 fixation is rated at 40 percent since December 21, 2019. The limitation of extension of the left knee and PO residuals of a menisceal tear and ACL reconstruction are not granted as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The VA examination on December 21, 2019 demonstrated that the Veteran had limited thoracolumbar flexion to only 30 degrees but no spinal ankylosis. The limitation of extension of the left knee was also noted with a rating since December 21, 2019.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Arthritis of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20053326
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 20053326.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine was granted with effective dates of May 13, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was diagnosed during service and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition based on continuity of symptomatology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.
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