The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is granted an initial 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for cervical strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are denied prior to October 19, 2021, but granted thereafter. Separate ratings for left hip bursitis and patellar instability associated with left knee degenerative arthritis are granted effective from October 19, 2021. The rating for right knee bipartite patella with discoid medial meniscus is granted a separate 20 percent rating as of January 28, 2022.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia was found to meet the criteria for an initial 30 percent rating. The cervical strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were denied prior to October 19, 2021, but granted thereafter as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings. Separate ratings for left hip bursitis and patellar instability associated with left knee degenerative arthritis are granted effective from October 19, 2021. The rating for right knee bipartite patella with discoid medial meniscus is granted a separate 20 percent rating as of January 28, 2022.
- Claimed conditions
- GERD with hiatal hernia, Cervical strain with IVDS, Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, Left hip bursitis, Left knee degenerative arthritis, Right knee bipartite patella with discoid medial meniscus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23053659
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 23053659.
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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current disabilities are not established, and thus his claims for service connection must be denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.