The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 11, 2020. The rating for LLE radiculopathy remains at 20 percent. Ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent are granted for right knee degenerative arthritis and lateral instability, respectively, both effective August 11, 2020. No ratings in excess of the current ones are granted for left distal fibula fracture and residuals of stress fracture, right distal radius fracture residuals, or left foot painful scar and scar.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine due to forward flexion limited to 20 degrees. The LLE radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in severe incomplete paralysis involving the femoral nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine, Left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, Right knee degenerative arthritis, Right knee lateral instability, Left distal fibula fracture and residuals of stress fracture, Right distal radius fracture residuals, Left foot painful scar, Left foot scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 29, 2024
- Citation
- A24041532
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 A24041532.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of motion was denied. A separate 20 percent rating for a right knee meniscus tear is granted. The claims for service connection for left hip condition and right foot gout are dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 5, 2021.
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