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 assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2019
- Citation
- A19003767
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 A19003767.
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 Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral knee instability and denied service connection for right and left knee instability, finding no nexus between the Veteran's knee conditions and his service or service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders due to the need for additional VA examinations.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for right knee strain and instability but granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension from November 25, 2024.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot condition, right foot condition, cellulitis, right ear hearing loss, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal of the proposal to reduce a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain was dismissed.
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