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
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his right knee conditions and a TDIU claim due to procedural issues, including the need for issuance of SOC regarding right knee arthritis and reduced rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his other conditions.
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