The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic and hydrocele disabilities have been evaluated based on the criteria provided in the decision. The appeal is denied as there are no higher ratings available under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any of the applicable diagnostic codes, thus warranting a denial of his claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Diverticulosis with diarrhea, Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD), Left shoulder DJD, Right shoulder DJD, Left elbow DJD, Right ankle DJD, Right elbow DJD, Left hip DJD, Right knee DJD, Left ankle DJD, Hydrocele
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 8, 2018
- Citation
- 1808088
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 1808088.
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 SMC(o) was denied as he could not receive multiple awards of SMC(l). The right shoulder bicipital tendonitis rating was denied, and the TDIU claim was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided in his VA examinations. The claims include tension headaches, a psychiatric disability (diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder), a cervical spine disorder, hand tremors, a lumbosacral spine disorder, a gastrointestinal disorder, and residuals of a hydrocele.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) was denied as the evidence did not show that he required personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine DJD, left knee disability based on limitation of extension, and right knee disability based on limitation of extension.
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