The Veteran's anemia is rated as noncompensable, and the right and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The scars are rated at 10 percent. The left knee and right knee arthropathies are both rated at 10 percent. The left shoulder and right shoulder rotator tendinopathies are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's anemia is not compensable, as her hemoglobin levels have been above the threshold for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support ratings in excess of those currently assigned for any condition. The Veteran’s anemia has consistently shown hemoglobin levels above the threshold required for a compensable rating. For the ankle disabilities, the VA examination reports show that while there is pain and functional loss due to flare-ups, the range of motion testing shows no additional limitation upon repetitive use or during flare-ups. For the scars, only one scar was painful, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804. The knee disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations of pain and functional loss without additional limitation due to repetitive use or flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Anemia, Right ankle disability, Left ankle disability, Painful scars, Left knee arthropathy, Right knee arthropathy, Left shoulder rotator tendinopathy, biceps tendinopathy, and inflammatory arthropathy, Right shoulder rotator tendinopathy, biceps tendinopathy, and inflammatory arthropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20013447
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20013447.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 10, 1997, for a 10% disability rating for his right ankle disability is denied as there was no CUE in the previous decisions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for left ankle disability residuals, finding that his current condition is due to an in-service injury and granting the benefit of the doubt.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his service. The VA examiner must provide an opinion on this matter.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.
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