The Veteran's cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee torn meniscus repair with residual arthralgia (right knee disability), and left shoulder disability were all denied increased ratings. The Veteran's hypertension was also denied an increased rating.,For the initial rating period from April 29, 2016, a compensable disability rating for right knee limitation of extension was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s cervical spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating as there were no findings of forward flexion of the cervical spine at 15 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. The thoracolumbar spine disability also did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes meeting the specified duration. The right knee disability was denied as there were no findings of compensable limitation of flexion, ankylosis, or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability. The left shoulder disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes meeting the specified duration. The hypertension was denied as there were no findings of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Disability, Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, Right Knee Torn Meniscus Repair with Residual Arthralgia (Right Knee Disability), Right Knee Limitation of Extension, Left Shoulder Disability, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20006904
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,200 · Granted: 43% (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 20006904.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.