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Denied

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his neck injury, low back strain, and left knee condition were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed that while there was some limitation of motion in all planes except right rotation for the cervical spine, and limited flexion and extension for the lumbar spine, these findings were within the range considered normal by VA standards. The veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

Claimed conditions
Chondromalacia of the left knee with degenerative changes, Myofascial low back strain, Neck injury with arthritis at C-3 and C-6
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
10%
Decision date
November 16, 2006
Citation
0635617

Veterans Law Judge

GEORGE E. GUIDO JR.

Decisions by this judge: 734 · Granted: 9% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 0635617.

What this means for you

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