The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative changes has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for this condition, effective August 22, 2016.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating as the functional loss due to pain and other symptoms does not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative changes, right knee meniscal tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 9, 2023
- Citation
- 23008500
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 23008500.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee arthritis, and bilateral knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay evidence regarding the onset of symptoms in service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee conditions, including meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, are related to her service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee limitation of extension. The effective dates are April 15, 2015, January 30, 2015, and January 20, 2015 respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that his current condition is not causally related to his military service.
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