The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and right shoulder tendonitis have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s back, bilateral knees, and right shoulder disabilities are currently rated at their minimum levels due to the lack of evidence showing that they meet or approximate the criteria for any higher ratings based on range of motion, functional loss, or other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, right shoulder tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19124562
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral achilles tendonitis, gout, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression. The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, separate ratings for instability of the knees, a separate rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, and service connection for bilateral leg pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic sinus disability, respiratory disability due to exposure to asbestos, heart murmur, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for right knee subluxation and degenerative joint disease due to an inadequate addendum opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and SMC based on loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities.
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