The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervicalgia with bulging disc and DDD, as well as scoliosis, DDD and DJD with arthritic changes prior to June 12, 2015 were denied. The criteria for these conditions did not meet the requirements for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for any higher evaluation based on the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervicalgia with bulging disc and degenerative disc disease (DDD), Scoliosis, DDD and degenerative joint disease (DJD) with arthritic changes, Left hip degenerative arthritis, Right hip degenerative arthritis, Left knee derangement and degenerative arthritis, Right knee derangement and degenerative arthritis, Left knee impairment, Right knee impairment, Left knee extension limitation, Right knee scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19116221
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 19116221.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone were of such nature and severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and several claims were remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis, but remanded the other issues.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including left and right elbow disabilities, left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis and meniscal tear, right foot callus, and right knee instability. The decision also restored the 10 percent rating for left knee instability and right elbow radial head fracture.
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