The Veteran's back disability is not rated higher than 40 percent due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,Her right knee disability, including instability and limited flexion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Left total knee replacement is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's history of dysplasia of the cervix and vagina warrants a 30 percent rating due to symptoms that cannot be controlled by continuous treatment.,Urinary incontinence requires absorbent materials changed more than four times per day, but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS lasting at least six weeks over the past 12 months. The current rating is based on limitation of motion and associated neurological findings.,Right knee instability and limited flexion do not meet criteria for higher ratings as they are already rated under appropriate codes, with separate ratings for instability (5257) and flexion (5260).,Left total knee replacement has reached the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent.,The Veteran's dysplasia of the cervix and vagina is evaluated based on its impact on her ability to control symptoms, warranting a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7542 (dysplasia of the cervix and vagina).,Urinary incontinence requires absorbent materials changed more than four times per day but does not meet criteria for higher ratings as it is already rated at its maximum.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain, chondromalacia, right patella, right knee instability, right knee limitation of flexion, status post total left knee replacement, history of dysplasia of the cervix and vagina, urinary incontinence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2019
- Citation
- A19003767
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,319 · Granted: 25% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19003767.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 17, 2019, for the grants of service connection for right knee instability, right knee tendonitis, and right femur fracture are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability associated with degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of motion associated with tendonitis with degenerative arthritis is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, but denied her claims for acid reflux disease and urinary incontinence. The decision also remanded her bilateral shoulder disabilities.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.
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