The VA denied increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected right femur and knee injuries, as well as his low back pain. The RO found that the current disability levels did not warrant higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the appellant's residuals of injuries to the right femur and knee with right leg shortening consisted of a 3 cm shortening of the right leg with associated complaints, but no significant impairment in terms of nonunion or false joint formation. The low back pain was found to have included muscle spasms with pain, but not severe subluxation or lateral instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of injuries to the right femur and knee with right leg shortening, Mechanical low back pain secondary to leg length discrepancy with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 18, 2002
- Citation
- 0206448
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 0206448.
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
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