The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve and right femoral nerve are both rated at 10 percent, which the Board also finds insufficient to warrant a higher rating.,Both knee disabilities (left and right patellofemoral pain syndrome) are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board does not find that they meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not consistently demonstrate forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and/or did not cause incapacitating episodes as defined by the VA.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, Degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 3, 2024
- Citation
- A24079893
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 A24079893.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The left shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent, but there are no incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating under the IVDS Formula. The TDIU claim is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his back disability, but the VA examinations from the period under review are inadequate. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain an opinion as to the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's back disability during the period under review.
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