The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle, left shoulder, and left elbow DJD. The appeal was also dismissed regarding entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD), Left shoulder DJD, Left elbow DJD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2017
- Citation
- 1748131
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 1748131.
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 Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right ankle DJD prior to November 2, 2012 was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left ankle DJD have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent each, effective June 18, 2015.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, including DJD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right hip disability, right ankle DJD, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The issues of increased ratings for knees are also being remanded.
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