The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine IVDS, right knee arthritis, right knee meniscal disability, and left knee chondromalacia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed limited range of motion in the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee, but no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes as required for higher ratings. The Veteran’s symptoms were managed with conservative treatments such as steroid injections, acupuncture, and aquatic therapy.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right knee arthritis, right knee meniscal disability, left knee chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20068570
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 veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for the claimed conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his active duty service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and tinnitus. The increased evaluation claim for pes planus was denied, as was the increase in rating for the right wrist fracture. The reduction of the right wrist rating from 10 percent to 0 percent was found improper, restoring the 10 percent rating.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis and a separate 30 percent or higher rating for the period from January 1, 2020, to July 23, 2025, but granted a 10 percent rating for right knee slight recurrent subluxation and lateral instability.
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