The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and lumbar spine conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show symptoms more nearly approximating flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee osteoarthritis and meniscus tear, lumbar spine osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20073241
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple osteoarthritis conditions, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and gout based on the evidence showing a relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis, left foot heel spur, and residuals of multiple left ankle sprains has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's obesity was an intermediate step between these conditions and OSA.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches, while denying service connection for bilateral wrist, hip, and ankle conditions.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for chronic left knee strain, and separate 10 percent ratings were assigned for cervical and lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and the remaining spinal conditions were denied.
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.