The Veteran's right lower extremity disabilities combine to a rating equal to or greater than that assigned for amputation of the right lower extremity above the knee. A higher disability rating cannot be assigned as such would violate the amputation rule.
The deciding factor: The combined rating for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity disabilities exceeds the maximum allowed by the amputation rule, resulting in a denial of any further increase in ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes, right knee, Osteochronal defect with degenerative arthritis, right ankle, Right great toe condition, second joint arthritis and pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 1, 2014
- Citation
- 1414012
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 1414012.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal. The claims for compensable ratings and service connection have been remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities have worsened since the last VA examinations, and new evidence is needed to determine appropriate disability ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically a new VA examination to address the current severity of the issues on appeal.
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