The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability in service or related to a service-connected condition, resulting in denial of service connection. Increased ratings were granted for the left shoulder and post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee but not for internal derangement of the left knee.

The deciding factor: The veteran's current low back disability is not shown to have been present in service or related to a service-connected condition, resulting in denial of service connection. Increased ratings were granted based on current manifestations of the conditions without evidence of aggravation by a service-connected condition.

Claimed conditions

Chronic residuals of low back injury with accompanying pain radiating down the right leg., Postoperative residuals of recurring dislocation of the left shoulder, characterized by abduction to 90 degrees equivalent to shoulder level., Internal derangement of the left knee from November 1, 1997 to August 21, 2002; productive of no more than slight impairment with recurring subluxation and/or lateral instability., Post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee from December 1, 2002 onwards; characterized by a range of motion from 0 to 100 degrees accompanied by pain.

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

July 18, 2006

Citation

0620955

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 0620955.