The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's back scar and remanded issues related to increased ratings for lumbar spine, left knee, and radiculopathy disabilities.
The deciding factor: The back scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes. Additional evidence is needed to evaluate the severity of the lumbar spine, left knee, and radiculopathy disabilities during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Back scar, Lumbar spine disability (spondylosis, right disc bulge, intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis), Left knee joint osteoarthritis with left chondromalacia, left knee Baker's cyst, and left meniscus tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 2, 2025
- Citation
- A25103266
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 964 · Granted: 37% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25103266.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need regular aid and attendance, granting special monthly compensation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to afford the Veteran a VA examination.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement within one year after notification of the May 2022 and September 2023 rating decisions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for tinnitus, back scar, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. However, a 50 percent rating was granted for the right upper extremity radiculopathy.
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