The Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the lumbar spine sprain with degenerative arthritis is also rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.,Both disabilities have been evaluated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory of service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis and degenerative arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not demonstrate extension limited to more than 10 degrees, ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of semilunar cartilage, limitation of flexion to less than 60 degrees, or impairment of the tibia and fibula.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee patellar tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 22, 2018
- Citation
- 18143994
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 18143994.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding a positive nexus to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of proposed rating reductions for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, due to procedural defects in the Veteran's notice of disagreement. The issue regarding a compensable rating for migraine headaches was remanded.
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