The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities, as the evidence does not show that they meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not demonstrate any additional functional loss beyond what is already accounted for by the current 20% disability ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Knee Injury, Right Knee Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 3, 2006
- Citation
- 0606270
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether a preexisting right knee injury was aggravated by an in-service bumping incident at a VA facility. The Veteran's argument about VA making an error is also being considered.
- Granted
The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their effects on his ability to perform activities of daily living, with a 30 percent rating for post-operative residuals and a 40 percent rating for limited extension. A separate 10 percent rating has also been granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right feet has been granted with a rating of 20 percent each. However, his request for TDIU remains pending as it was not initially addressed by the AOJ.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to her military service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.
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