The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic back strain with DDD and DJD of the right knee were denied. The Board found that prior to July 7, 2015, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic back strain with DDD. Effective from July 7, 2015, the Veteran's condition was rated as 20 percent disabling. The claim for DJD of the right knee was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any evidence of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; or any incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks during the previous 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Back Strain with Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2016
- Citation
- 1623022
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 1623022.
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 claims for increased ratings for his right knee DJD and TKA disabilities have been denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for DJD prior to April 5, 2011, and the subsequent rating of 40 percent from that date until February 1, 2015, are not supported by the evidence. For the period from March 1, 2016, through October 10, 2022, a 30 percent rating is denied, and on or after October 11, 2022, a 60 percent rating is also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The issues include Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Insomnia, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Left Knee, DJD of the Right Knee, and Hypothyroidism.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent for right knee total arthroplasty, a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right knee, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new examination to address the severity of his right knee disability and its impact on his employment.
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.