The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine strain with IVDS are rated at a 30 percent disability level. Effective February 17, 2026, the Veteran is granted a rating of 30 percent for his service-connected left knee mild chondromalacia, limitation of extension; right knee mild chondromalacia, limitation of extension; and lumbar spine strain with IVDS.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's bilateral knees and lumbar spine have been rated at a 30 percent disability level since February 2024. The effective date is set to February 17, 2026, as this was the most recent date of receipt of claim or change in benefit.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee mild chondromalacia, right knee mild chondromalacia, lumbar spine strain with IVDS
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26036420
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 A26036420.
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 lumbar spine strain with IVDS, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the lumbar spine disability), and right and left knee disabilities on a direct basis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his claim of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The remand is due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his low back and neck disabilities, as well as a claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine strain with IVDS and cervical spondylosis with IVDS, and VA must consider the Veteran's employment history in determining whether he is unemployable.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine strain with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for private treatment records, and a new VA examination must be conducted.
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