The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his left knee and right index finger disabilities, as well as service connection for chest pain and a skin disorder. The RO granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury with a 10% evaluation and for residuals of an injury to the right index finger without assigning any compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show evidence of severe impairment, instability, or arthritis that would warrant higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes. The veteran's complaints were generally consistent with his diagnoses, but no additional functional loss was demonstrated due to pain or weakness as per the DeLuca criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee injury, Right index finger injury
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2000
- Citation
- 0007190
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 0007190.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis as new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a left-hand condition is dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for mononeuropathy to the left hand fourth finger with parasthesia of skin in an October 2025 rating decision.
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