The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected depression with PTSD, right knee sprain with patellar tendonitis, and thoracic spine degenerative joint disease. The current ratings of 50% for each condition are maintained.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that any of the conditions had been granted on a presumptive basis (e.g., due to exposure to Agent Orange or Camp Lejeune), nor was there new and material evidence presented to reopen previously denied claims. The current ratings were found to be appropriate based on the severity of symptoms as described in the medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- Depression with PTSD, Right knee sprain with patellar tendonitis, Thoracic spine degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 10, 2007
- Citation
- 0728272
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0728272.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the VA examination and opinion were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's complete medical history. The case is now to be reviewed with an addendum VA opinion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his thoracic spine disability from January 31, 2011 to January 9, 2020 was denied.,A 50 percent disability rating is granted for the Veteran's thoracic spine disability starting on January 9, 2020.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was due to aplastic anemia, which is service-connected. The appellant is also granted Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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