The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee and right elbow disabilities was denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a respiratory condition were also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease or for an initial compensable rating for a right elbow disability, as there was no finding of instability or other functional impairment that would warrant such ratings. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a respiratory condition were also denied due to lack of evidence demonstrating their onset during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Elbow Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2011
- Citation
- 1129914
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 1129914.
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 left knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective December 18, 2025. The Veteran also received separate ratings for instability and dislocation of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to service, but the right elbow disability requires further review due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an inadequate medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to inadequate examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty to assist errors identified during higher-level review. The Veteran's right knee and right elbow disabilities are now subject to further development.
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