The Veteran's right and left knee strains are service connected, with the thoracolumbar strain also being granted.,Service connection for the right and left knee strains is established. However, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the thoracolumbar strain is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's chronic right and left knee strains had their onset in service and were manifested by daily stiffness, weakness, fatigue, and popping. The examiner also noted no swelling or redness, and normal X-rays of the knees.,VA examination revealed forward flexion to 85 degrees with pain at 75 degrees, extension to 27 degrees with pain at 25 degrees, right and left lateral flexion to 25 degrees with pain at 22 degrees, and right and left lateral rotation to 30 degrees. The combined range of motion was greater than 120 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee strain, Left knee strain, Thoracolumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0933740
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 0933740.
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 claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current condition and active duty service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine strain, right wrist sprain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The disabilities are all deemed to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition due to inadequate VA opinions and incomplete record development regarding his National Guard service.
- Denied
The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not have an employment handicap and was found to be employable with her current skills, experience, and education. The appeal must be denied.
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.