The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on current medical evidence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right distal tibia and fibula, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee do not demonstrate symptoms that warrant an increased rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Fracture of the Right Distal Tibia and Fibula, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1014798
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 1014798.
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 claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder due to a lack of new and relevant evidence, and remanded the claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, service connection for polysubstance abuse disorder secondary to a service-connected disability, and a TDIU.
- Denied
The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD and increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal for a compensable initial rating for COPD and scar of the left shoulder was withdrawn. Other appeals were denied.
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