The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The VA has not provided a rating in excess of the current assigned disability ratings.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, left ankle, right knee with degenerative changes, and left knee conditions do not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in favorable or unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or associated neurological impairment. The Veteran has not experienced incapacitating episodes.,The left ankle condition is manifested by tenderness and limited range of motion, but no ankylosis. The disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Chondromalacia patella of the right knee with degenerative changes results in limitation of flexion to 60 degrees without ankylosis or other severe symptoms. No higher rating is warranted.,Chondromalacia patella of the left knee also results in limitation of flexion, but at a lesser degree (70 degrees) and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity manifests as mild neurological symptoms without ankylosis or other severe symptoms. No higher rating is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Ankle, Chondromalacia Patella of the Right Knee with Degenerative Changes, Chondromalacia Patella of the Left Knee, Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1627511
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 1627511.
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 Board has dismissed the appeals for discontinuance of TDIU, reduction of disability rating for acquired psychiatric disorder, and reduction of disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to lack of response from the Veteran within the required timeframe.
- Denied
The Board found that the evidence did not show an actual improvement in the Veteran's conditions, and thus denied the reduction requests for his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, a TDIU prior to July 13, 2019, and increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.
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