The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is granted. The claim for increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, rated 10 percent prior to January 17, 2017 and 40 percent since then, is denied. The claims for higher ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee limitation of flexion are also denied. A rating of 10 percent for right knee lateral meniscus tear is granted. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 26, 2018 is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's kidney stones were found to have resulted from in-service conditions and are therefore service-connected. However, the current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a 40 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- kidney stones, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee limitation of flexion (previously, right knee impairment), right knee lateral meniscus tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21004200
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 21004200.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.