The Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities, as well as the associated TDIU claim and several reopened claims, were denied due to her failure without good cause to report for necessary VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations which were deemed necessary to evaluate her service-connected disabilities and determine whether she was entitled to increased disability ratings or other benefits. As a result, the claims are denied under 38 C.F.R. § 3.655.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, Residuals of right humerus fracture, Left shoulder degenerative arthritis, Lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, Right knee degenerative arthritis prior to March 11, 2011, and since May 1, 2011, Left knee degenerative arthritis, Right ankle degenerative arthritis, Left ankle degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2016
- Citation
- 1614230
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 1614230.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to September 20, 2013 and at 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran asserts that his symptoms warrant higher ratings.,The Veteran's right vocal cord paralysis is currently rated at 30 percent.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
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