The Veteran's left knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The combined disability of the right and left shoulders warrants a 10 percent rating as separate disabilities are not more than zero percent.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) does not warrant an initial compensable rating. Hypertension also does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee condition has been shown to be manifested by subjective complaints of pain and limited function, but no objective evidence of limitation of motion or associated pain and elements of functional loss, anklyosis, lateral instability, recurrent subluxation, or dislocation or removal of semilunar cartilage. The combined disability of the right and left shoulders has been shown to be manifested by X-ray evidence of arthritic involvement of two major joints without a showing of incapacitating episodes; ankylosis, limitation of motion, pain, elements of functional loss, dislocation, or impairment of the humerus, clavicle, or scapula is not shown.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has required use of medication to control pertinent symptoms but there is no showing of persistently recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, regurgitation, substernal or arm or shoulder pain, a resulting considerable impairment of health, or symptoms indicative of any increased level of severity. Hypertension necessitated use of anti-hypertensive medication but a history of a diastolic blood pressure of predominantly 100 or more is not demonstrated; there is no showing of a systolic blood pressure of predominantly 160 or more.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Knee, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Shoulder, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Shoulder, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Hypertension

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

10%

Decision date

January 6, 2010

Citation

1000679

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 1000679.