The Veteran's low back disability, including IVDS, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's right knee strain was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurological impairment of the left lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurological impairment of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurogenic bladder disability was rated at 40 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and the reduction to noncompensable is denied.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and the reduction to noncompensable is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.,The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.,The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.,The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.,The Veteran's neurogenic bladder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7542.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5099-5020, 5276.
- Claimed conditions
- Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS), Degenerative Arthritis, Right Knee Strain, Neurological Impairment of Left Lower Extremity, Neurological Impairment of Right Lower Extremity, Neurogenic Bladder Disability, Plantar Fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2022
- Citation
- 22071292
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 22071292.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), and awarded an initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension).
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