The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees, as well as low back strain. The RO initially assigned a combined 20 percent evaluation based on separate 10 percent evaluations for each knee and low back strain. However, the Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show ankylosis of the knees or instability of either knee, nor did it demonstrate muscle atrophy or incoordination. The ranges of motion for both knees were within normal limits and there was no additional limitation of function with repetitive use or flare-ups. The Board also found that separate ratings based on painful motion under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261 would be in violation of the rule of pyramiding.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease, right knee, degenerative joint disease, left knee, low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 9, 2007
- Citation
- 0710201
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 0710201.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the one for an increased rating for low back strain.
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- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back strain has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.
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