The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine have been denied. His current 10 percent ratings for arthritis in both knees are not supported by evidence showing more severe limitations of motion, and there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions warranting higher ratings. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his spine disability has also been denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support the presence of additional functional impairment due to pain, instability, subluxation, or other symptoms that would warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. Additionally, there is no evidence showing ankylosis or other disabling conditions in either knee that would justify a separate rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the left knee due to trauma, Arthritis of the right knee due to trauma
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1730321
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 1730321.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee disability ratings for arthritis and ACL tear are denied as his flexion is not limited to 45 degrees or less, and he does not have severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.
- Granted
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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