The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative changes of the right wrist, left knee, and right knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had limited motion and pain in his wrists and knees without ankylosis or other disabling conditions. The maximum schedular ratings available under the relevant diagnostic codes were already assigned, thus no higher ratings could be granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the right wrist, Degenerative changes of the left knee, Degenerative changes of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19148065
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19148065.
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 granted an effective date of July 29, 2022, and no earlier for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.
- Dismissed
The appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed as the claims were pending under the legacy appeal system at the time of the April 2021 VA Form 10182, which is not within the AMA's jurisdiction.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right inguinal hernia with scar and remanded the case for further development regarding a left knee disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show any findings of ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation or symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage, tibial or fibular impairment, genu recurvatum, extension limited to 10 degrees or more, flexion limited to 45 degrees or less, or functional equivalent thereof.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.