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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20013447.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.
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.