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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18150928.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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