The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity that they effectively preclude him from securing or following all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.
The deciding factor: VA medical examinations indicated the Veteran has residual functional capacity necessary to perform sedentary work, including sitting for long periods with occasional short distance walking in an office setting. The evidence also showed that the Veteran had a significant fund of knowledge, considerable intellectual capabilities, and valuable interpersonal skills.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative changes, left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar strain with degenerative changes, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1710972
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 1710972.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for left and right knee arthritis, thus the appeal is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been received. The AOJ should now consider secondary service connection in addition to the original claims.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of functional impairment. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if any service-connected disability results in loss of use of both lower extremities, one lower extremity and one upper extremity, or residuals affecting balance and propulsion.
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