The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a compensable level of disability warranting an initial rating higher than the currently assigned evaluations.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any functional impairment or instability in the veteran's knees or neck that would warrant a higher evaluation. The veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations, which resulted in the use of the evidence of record to determine his disability levels.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Disorder, Left Knee Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 11, 2002
- Citation
- 0211770
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 0211770.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded issues related to service connection for knee and lumbar spine disorders.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD, but granted service connection for IBS under PACT Act provisions and remanded other claims.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and denied a higher initial rating for the right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for OSA. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, recurring diarrhea, and left knee disorder were remanded.
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