The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes. The temporary total disability rating for convalescence was also denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show more than moderate limitation of motion in either the thoracolumbar spine or knees, and there were no documented incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating under the criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, retropatellar pain syndrome (left knee), retropatellar pain syndrome (right knee)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1733264
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 1733264.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these issues have been addressed in a separate docket.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for the lumbar spine disability and right knee and calf disabilities.
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