The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of disease or injury in service.,The Veteran's low back disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating higher than 60 percent, and his PTSD warrants a 70% initial disability rating but no higher.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of current left knee disability or disease/injury in service. The VA examiner found the Veteran's left knee to be asymptomatic and normal, with no objective findings.,While the Veteran reported flare-ups and functional loss, there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. The criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion requires ankylosis, which is not present in this case.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disability, lumbosacral strain and thoracic DJD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18150928
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 18150928.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- 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.
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