The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not demonstrate additional functional impairment or other factors warranting a higher evaluation than what was currently assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease, Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Hip, Residuals of Fractures, Left Tibia and Fibula with Ankle Impairment, Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Knee, Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2004
- Citation
- 0433185
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 0433185.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine is remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2020 VA examination report and the need for current range of motion testing that disregards the ameliorative effects of his medications.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective March 27, 2013, as he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since that date.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, lumbar canal stenosis; right knee condition; left knee condition; right shoulder condition; and neck pain are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his back disability, as well as a need for additional information on his unemployability claim.
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