The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hand contusion and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical records showed no significant impairment of range of motion or strength in either hand or knee, with normal X-rays. The veteran's symptoms were primarily related to pain and tenderness without objective findings of arthritis or instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right hand contusion with grip weakness and bony protrusion at the base of the index finger, Left knee disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2005
- Citation
- 0533526
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 0533526.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's entitlement to higher level of SMC at the intermediate rate is granted, effective from January 8, 2021. He was previously in need of aid and attendance due to his left knee disability since February 1, 2017, and now has additional disabilities rated at 50 percent or more.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or functional impairment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left, right knee disabilities and right ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The cases will be returned for further development.
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