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
- Not verified here — check the original 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 indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0902607.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.