The Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities have been evaluated based on their current functional limitations, with no evidence of service connection or exposure to specific environments. The claims for increased ratings are denied as the current disability levels do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's joint conditions were found to be noncompensable due to pain and motion loss without ankylosis, instability, or other severe functional impairment. The claims are therefore denied as they do not meet the requirements for higher disability ratings based on current evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Shoulder Synovitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2011
- Citation
- 1144990
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 1144990.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance claims have been granted effective from November 23, 2019.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for his lumbar and cervical spine conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence in support of the Veteran's previously denied service-connection claim for a back condition to include degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded for further review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome were granted a 20 percent rating, effective from January 8, 2021. The Veteran also received restoration of the 20 percent rating for instability of the right knee.
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