The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right knee patellofemoral disease and an initial compensable rating for left knee scar, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the currently assigned levels.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the findings from VA examinations which showed limited range of motion but no additional functional loss with repetitive use. The Veteran's disability had a moderate effect on exercise and sports and mild to no effect on other daily activities, which did not warrant higher ratings under applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Right Knee Patellofemoral Disease, Left Knee Scar
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 18, 2009
- Citation
- 0905946
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability.
- Denied
The Board denied an effective date prior to January 10, 2024, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, both prior to and from December 2, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities, collectively warranted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from July 7, 2022 to October 9, 2023.
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