The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, cervical spine, and foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent ratings assigned for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as the cervical spine disability, are appropriate based on the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee and cervical spine conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence did not show limitation of motion to a degree that would warrant initial ratings in excess of 10 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee osteoarthritis, Left knee osteoarthritis, Cervical spine disorder (cervical strain with degenerative arthritis), Right index finger disability, Right little finger disability, Right foot contusion with metatarsalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19195011
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,548 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
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 19195011.
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee instability is granted, with a 30 percent rating. The claims for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis (flexion) and left hip strain, osteoarthritis and bursitis based on painful motion are denied. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle osteoarthritis is also denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and left knee, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to potential toxic exposure in service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis rating was restored to 40%, and an effective date of July 26, 2013, for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was granted. The intermediate rate SMC effective date also aligns with this date.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this disability.
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