The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee and elbow conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on limitation of motion, and there is no additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or incoordination. The left ulnar neuropathy does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not involve severe incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ulnar neuropathy with degenerative changes of the 5th digit, Left knee degenerative joint disease with retained shrapnel, Right knee degenerative joint disease prior to April 12, 2012, Right knee degenerative joint disease from April 12, 2012, Left elbow strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1541758
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1541758.
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: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries sustained in a June 2021 motorcycle accident were not incurred in line of duty due to his own willful misconduct, and therefore, service connection for all claimed conditions is denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left hand injury ring finger. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease, left cubital tunnel syndrome, and left elbow strain were remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple left and right upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.