The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left little finger injury and left total knee replacement was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating beyond the current 30 percent for the left total knee replacement.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show any additional functional loss or symptoms warranting a higher rating, and the Veteran's service-connected conditions were evaluated based on their direct impact without considering presumptive exposure or secondary theories of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Left little finger injury, Left total knee replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20056553
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 20056553.
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 increased ratings for the service-connected left total knee replacement, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee instability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a maximum rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's left total knee replacement from January 1, 2019, and a 70 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder starting from January 17, 2018.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left shoulder and knee conditions, but granted a 60 percent rating for his right total knee replacement. The Board also denied entitlement to TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities, including instability, and a TDIU due to an inadequate examination.
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