The Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis and major depressive disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claims of increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis of the right and left knees affecting limitation of flexion are also denied.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the service connection claims, and the Veteran's disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for higher disability ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension).
- Claimed conditions
- spinal stenosis, major depressive disorder, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, osteoarthritis of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, osteoarthritis of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19162163
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 19162163.
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.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right and left hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and knee conditions, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected knee and ankle conditions. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.
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