The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations for her service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, right knee instability, and left knee instability were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis or exceptional/unusual disability of the lumbar spine, nor did it demonstrate incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation under the revised provisions of Diagnostic Code 5293. The knee disabilities were found to present moderate limitations in motion and instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral sacroiliac sclerosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1715520
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1715520.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability is being remanded to the Board of Veterans' Appeals for further development, including consideration of extraschedular evaluation due to marked interference with employment and frequent periods of hospitalization.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the lumbar spine, which is required for a rating in excess of 60 percent.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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