The deciding factor: The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for any higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine (cervical spine disability), Degenerative disc disease and scoliosis of the thoracic spine with lumbosacral strain (thoracolumbar disability), Left shoulder strain, status post dislocation (left shoulder disability), Right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with residual fracture of the right patella (right knee disability), Left knee retropatellar pain syndrome (left knee disability), Hepatitis C with mild liver fibrosis, Eczema, Scar of the right chin
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0928487
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 0928487.
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 service connection for PTSD and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder strain.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD, a higher rating for left shoulder disability, and an earlier effective date for the award of a 20 percent rating for left shoulder disability.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted separate ratings of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o), and a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings on all claims due to untimely Notices of Disagreement.
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