The VA has granted service connection for the veteran's disabilities and assigned a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the mid chest with retained foreign bodies. The other issues have been denied.
The deciding factor: The criteria for an increased rating were not met as the veteran's pulmonary function test results did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 6843.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Knee, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Knee, Residuals of a Shell Fragment Wound of the Mid Chest with Retained Foreign Bodies and Scar, Residuals of a Right Thumb Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2002
- Citation
- 0202851
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0202851.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left knee instability and limitation of extension associated with degenerative joint disease are rated at 20 percent from June 14, 2010 to January 11, 2016.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board finds that additional evidence and a new medical opinion are needed to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30 percent for the period beginning February 2, 2024. The rating was denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The case is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee recurrent subluxation at the December 2022 VA examination, and further development is needed.
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