The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for a thoracic/dorsal spine disability, and the RO awarded noncompensable evaluations for chondromalacia patella of both knees.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any current diagnoses of a thoracic/dorsal spine disability or Achilles tendon disorders. The veteran's knee disabilities were evaluated based on limitation of motion under Diagnostic Codes 5010 and 5260/5261, but the evidence did not show compensable limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic/Dorsal Spine Disability, Achilles Tendon Disability (Right), Chondromalacia Patella, Left Knee, Chondromalacia Patella, Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2008
- Citation
- 0833003
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 0833003.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective February 19, 2015.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted, effective from July 14, 2008. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right shoulder disability and determine if any right knee condition is related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, meeting the threshold criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities.
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