The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his back and knee disabilities, as well as PTSD, were denied. The RO assigned the Veteran a 10 percent evaluation for chronic thoracic strain prior to October 31, 2005 and a 20 percent evaluation from that date onwards. For right patellofemoral syndrome, the Veteran received a 10 percent evaluation prior to August 22, 2011 and no higher. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling from May 16, 2004 to October 2, 2006, 70 percent disabling from October 3, 2006 to August 23, 2011, and no higher.,The rating criteria reasonably describe the level of severity and symptomatology of the Veteran's back disability and PTSD. The RO found that the Veteran’s knee disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's conditions met or approximated the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable rating schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic thoracic strain, right patellofemoral syndrome, left patellofemoral syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2014
- Citation
- 1403495
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 1403495.
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).
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