The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left shoulder strain, right and left knee strains, or right ankle strain. However, separate 10 percent ratings are granted for instability of both knees throughout the period under consideration.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability of his joints, except for separate 10 percent ratings for knee instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Strain, Right Knee Strain, Left Knee Strain, Right Ankle Strain, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine (Low Back Disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19178434
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 service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent for a low back disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) and 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, denied ratings in excess of 30 percent for left and right knee strains, granted separate 10 percent ratings for painful, noncompensable limitation of flexion of the knees, granted service connection for back condition and related radiculopathies, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right shoulder condition.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective March 27, 2024. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hand, left ankle strain, and right knee strain were remanded.
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