The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the right and left knee PFS disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability is denied.,The appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, TDIU, and a sleep disorder are granted and remanded respectively.
The deciding factor: The objective medical evidence does not support a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability due to the lack of significant functional loss or impairment beyond what is already reflected in the current 20 percent rating.,The appeals for service connection are granted as new and relevant evidence has been received, but further evaluation is needed before a decision can be made.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis lumbar spine, right knee patellofemoral syndrome (PFS), left knee patellofemoral syndrome (PFS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 21, 2024
- Citation
- A24048786
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 A24048786.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 20 percent effective June 6, 2024. The right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability, spondylosis lumbar spine, and an acquired psychiatric disability to correct duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, low back, left and right knee, as well as left and right foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including spondylolisthesis or segmental instability (DJD spondylolisthesis L-5 S1), radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, paralysis of the ulnar nerve, acromioclavicular joint arthritis, left ankle tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral feet with plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, pituitary macroadenoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and renal failure.
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.