The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for advanced osteoarthritic changes of the right and left knees was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee during the period at issue.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran retained significant range of motion, strength, and no ankylosis or other severe impairment, despite complaints of pain and swelling. The Veteran's symptoms were primarily related to osteoarthritis without any indication of service connection for a specific exposure basis (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange).
- Claimed conditions
- advanced osteoarthritic changes of the right knee, advanced osteoarthritic changes of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19144120
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
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