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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1041604.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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