The reduction in the Veteran’s compression fracture of the first lumbar vertebra rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper and the appeal is denied.,Effective from April 1, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome has not shown actual material improvement that is reasonably certain to be maintained under the ordinary conditions of life and work.
The deciding factor: The evidence makes it reasonably certain that the improvement will be maintained under the ordinary conditions of life.
- Claimed conditions
- Compression fracture of the first lumbar vertebra, Left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19104104
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.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied higher disability ratings for the veteran's low back and lower extremity radiculopathies, pseudofolliculitis barbae, pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and an initial 70 percent rating, but not higher, for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. Other claims were denied or remanded.
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