The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings at any point.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted in May 2004 and December 2006 found that the Veteran's symptoms were limited to pain without significant limitation or instability. The subsequent examination in November 2009 also confirmed these findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Knee, Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Joint Disease Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2010
- Citation
- 1041604
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 1041604.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective March 27, 2013, as he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since that date.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease, right knee. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service motorcycle accident injury.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's rating for his right knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease, based on limitation of extension, was reduced from 30 percent to 10 percent. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 30 percent rating effective April 1, 2018. The case is remanded for further examination and readjudication.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including any symptoms related to instability and the need for assistive devices.
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.