The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right leg disabilities are granted at 20 percent. A 40 percent rating is granted for the back disability from July 1, 2013.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently showed moderate to severe knee symptoms with limited flexion and no ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant higher ratings under different diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee patellofemoral syndrome with shin splints, Right knee patellofemoral syndrome with shin splints, Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21006588
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 21006588.
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 service-connected back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder disability are all rated at the highest possible initial rating of 40 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and remanded certain issues for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, including a new VA examination to clarify the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, both secondary to his now service-connected back disability. The decision is based on a finding that there is at least an equipoise of evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.
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