The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disabilities, finding that the current 10 percent ratings accurately reflect the severity of his symptoms.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show additional functional impairment or symptomatology beyond what was contemplated by the current 10 percent ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a head injury, including face numbness on the left side, Neck pain, Right trapezius muscle injury, Psychiatric disability characterized as dysthymic disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and adjustment disorder (claimed as depression), Degenerative joint disease, right knee, Status post meniscus tear, right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0902607
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,467 · Granted: 18% (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 0902607.
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's appeal for increased ratings on the lumbar spine, RLE radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and hypertension has been dismissed. The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's application for PCAFC enrollment was denied due to a lack of evidence and legal deficiencies in the decision. The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional medical records, correct notification issues, and provide a new medical determination based on all relevant evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased rating and service connection for hyperlipidemia. The appeal for service connection of erectile dysfunction is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Board granted increased 20 percent disability ratings for the back, right knee, and left knee disabilities but denied a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for the right anterior knee scar.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.