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
Veterans Law Judge
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 0905946.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including DDD of the lumbar spine. The current VA opinions are deemed inadequate due to their failure to consider the Veteran's lay reports of in-service injury and continuous symptomatology since service.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent for the total knee replacement and a 10 percent rating for the scar. The appeal was granted on both issues.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
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