The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent for lumbar disc disease with mechanical low back pain or a rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the back with left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depression, Lumbar Disc Disease with Mechanical Low Back Pain, Residuals of Shrapnel Wounds to the Back with Left Lower Extremity Lumbar Radiculopathy, Right Knee Patellofemoral Arthritis, Status Post Medial Tibial Stress Fracture, Left Knee Patellofemoral Arthritis, Status Post Medial Tibial Stress Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2014
- Citation
- 1420954
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 1420954.
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 Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that the symptoms had their onset during service and have continued since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was increased to a 70% rating effective July 22, 2024. The Appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the November 2024 rating decision due to continuous pursuit of claims.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from working, and he has the necessary skills to transition into suitable employment without direct intervention of Chapter 31 benefits.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, right knee disability, and left knee disability.
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