The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia were denied as her conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine was characterized by limited motion with pain in multiple areas. Her left and right knee chondromalacia were also noted, but without instability or other significant functional limitations that would warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2009
- Citation
- 0948745
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 0948745.
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 claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, left ankle disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left heel disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability has been denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine and lumbar spine strain with bilateral sacroiliitis is granted. The issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disability, arthritis of the left hip, and arthritis of the right hip are remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, finding that it is related to an in-service injury and established by continuity of symptoms since service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder as new and material evidence was not submitted.
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