The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or instability, as there was no ankylosis of the spine or knees, and the Veteran had not experienced incapacitating episodes related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any ankylosis in either the lumbar spine or knee joints. The Veteran's range of motion for both knees was within normal limits, with no evidence of instability or subluxation. There were also no incapacitating episodes related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of Lumbar Spine, Osteoarthritis, Right Knee, Osteoarthritis, Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2014
- Citation
- 1455243
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 1455243.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an effective date prior to March 20, 2008, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with osteoarthritis and right hemilaminectomy and discectomy. The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for a right hip disability and degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, which were previously denied. The case is being remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and left hip disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology and severity.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.
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