The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine, left ankle, and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed limited range of motion in all three conditions but no findings warranting an increased rating based on the criteria under which they are evaluated.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine"}, {"condition_name":"Residuals of an avulsion fracture at the medial malleolus of the left ankle"}, {"condition_name":"Degenerative joint disease of the left knee"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20008087
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
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