The Veteran's appeal for restoration of the 40 percent rating assigned under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of right knee extension, effective May 1, 2010, is granted. The appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left hip, right hip, left ankle, and right ankle are also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current disability requirements were met as his VA examinations confirmed he has degenerative arthritis in multiple joints. Service connection was granted based on these findings and a private opinion linking the disabilities to his service-connected right knee and leg length discrepancy.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Degenerative arthritis of the left hip, Degenerative arthritis of the right hip, Degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, Degenerative arthritis of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21005968
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 21005968.
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 appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disability and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves are granted with effective dates from June 30, 2010. A 40% rating is assigned for the lumbar disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.
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