The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease L4-S1 is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed that the Veteran's lumbar spine symptoms more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less during flare-ups, but not ankylosis. The Board found it reasonable to conclude that the Veteran's symptomatology would nearly approximate flexion limited to 30 degrees during a flare-up.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease L4-S1, Right knee osteoarthritis, Left knee degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 30, 2023
- Citation
- 23047952
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 23047952.
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 Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee instability is granted, with a 30 percent rating. The claims for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis (flexion) and left hip strain, osteoarthritis and bursitis based on painful motion are denied. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle osteoarthritis is also denied.
- 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.
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