The Veteran's left and right knee instability have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each.,Earlier effective dates for the left and right knee instability were granted on May 18, 2010.,A rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability from September 8, 2014 was granted.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy received a 20 percent rating prior to December 18, 2020, and a 40 percent rating thereafter.,A 20 percent rating for the right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted effective June 6, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee instability symptoms were found to be moderate, warranting increased ratings of 20 percent each.,Earlier effective dates for left and right knee instability were granted based on the presence of instability since May 2010.,The lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent due to chronic pain managed by medication with limitation of movement to no more than 30 degrees forward flexion.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy symptoms prior to December 18, 2020 were found to be moderately severe, warranting a 20 percent rating.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent effective June 6, 2018 based on moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Instability, Right Knee Instability, Lumbar Spine Disability, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23016283
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 23016283.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right knee strain (painful motion), and right knee instability are now rated at 30 percent effective August 16, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted a separate rating of 30 percent for right knee instability, but has remanded the issue of an increased rating for right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider the effects of pain medication.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
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