The Board granted an effective earlier date of September 10, 2013 for the initial 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a 30 percent rating for right knee medial meniscus tear with meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is manifested by severe painful motion with forward flexion approximating 30 degrees or less since the initial claim, and his right knee disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating based on extension to 20 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Right knee medial meniscus tear with meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25032052
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 granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to an in-service bicycle accident.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine to correct a duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, neurological impairments of the upper extremities, and dismissed the TDIU claim as moot.
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.