The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left knee disability, as it did not meet the criteria for an increase in disability beyond what was already assigned. His skin disorder, right claw foot, and hypertension were also not supported by the evidence provided.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of pain and instability in his left knee did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or traumatic arthritis. The Board found that there was no ankylosis or loss of function following repetitive testing. His skin disorder, right claw foot, and hypertension were not supported by the evidence provided.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Degenerative Arthritis, Skin Disorder (including skin rash, jungle rot, athlete's foot, and toenail fungus), Right Claw Foot, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2017
- Citation
- 1730927
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 1730927.
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 Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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