The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied in June 2003. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. Her left knee disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, but she has mild instability warranting an additional 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or arthritis. However, her instability warrants a separate 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Disorder, Left Knee Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 26, 2012
- Citation
- 1243749
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 1243749.
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 Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining medical records and for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left hip disorders due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining an adequate nexus opinion prior to the June 2021 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders due to insufficient opinions regarding the onset and relationship to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, but his right ear hearing loss and back disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.
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