The Veteran's initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted at 40 percent. Increased ratings are granted for patellofemoral tenosynovitis, right knee and left knee.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were found to be severe enough to warrant a higher initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, with increased ratings granted for patellofemoral tenosynovitis of both knees based on their severity and impact on daily activities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine, Patellofemoral tenosynovitis, right knee, Patellofemoral tenosynovitis, left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2024
- Citation
- 24031739
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 899 · Granted: 45% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 24031739.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and right knee disabilities. The claim for a back disability is granted, while the claim for a right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient rationale in supporting opinions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine from April 13, 2015 to January 7, 2019.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 21, 2024 for service connection to the Veteran for degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); and radiculopathy, left lower, sciatic.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for further development, including obtaining a more comprehensive VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine.
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