The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pelvic/coccygeal fracture, limitation of extension of the left and right thighs, and limitation of flexion of the left and right thighs have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing that the Veteran had any limitation of motion in these joints to a degree warranting higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions were rated based on their impact on range of motion, with specific reference to Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 5251. The Board determined that the evidence did not support higher ratings as there was no limitation of motion in excess of what is already compensated under existing diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- pelvic/coccygeal fracture, limitation of extension of the left thigh, limitation of extension of the right thigh, limitation of flexion of the left thigh, limitation of flexion of the right thigh, impairment of the left thigh, impairment of the right thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182127
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 service connection for hypogonadism with fatigue, GERD, and a right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's left rib disability was denied, and the ratings for his left shoulder injury, left hip bursitis, impairment of the left thigh, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome limitation of extension, and left ankle sprain were either granted or denied with specific rating percentages.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left trochanteric calcific bursitis, limitation of extension of the left thigh, and limitation of flexion of the left thigh.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of November 8, 2020, for the award of service connection for various disabilities including cervical spine stenosis, degenerative arthritis, IVDS status post fusion surgery with residuals, right and left shoulder strains and degenerative arthritis status post joint replacement with residuals, right and left knee strains and degenerative arthritis status post joint replacement with residuals, left hip degenerative arthritis, limitation of extension of the right thigh, limitation of abduction of the right thigh, limitation of extension of the left thigh, and limitation of abduction of the left thigh.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's knee and hip disabilities, granted a 20% rating for right knee semilunar cartilage condition and left knee semilunar cartilage condition, and denied service connection for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus.
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