The Board found that the Veteran's upper back strain and right knee degenerative joint disease do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show ankylosis, intervertebral disc syndrome, or incapacitating episodes of at least two weeks duration for the upper back strain. For the right knee, there was no additional limitation of motion on repetitive use and the Veteran's range of motion was within normal limits.
- Claimed conditions
- Upper back strain, Right knee degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1445661
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 1445661.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service connected, effective August 19, 2009. The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent and his TDIU due to MDD is also granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary to determine if it warrants a higher evaluation. Additionally, the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for right knee disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The PCAFC eligibility process will continue, including consideration of whether the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right ankle disabilities but remanded the claims for other joint conditions due to insufficient evidence.
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