The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old or new rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s knee and cervical spine disabilities did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the pre-amended or post-amended criteria, as her symptoms did not warrant a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) with degenerative changes of the left knee, Left knee meniscal condition, Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, Cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity (LUE), Migraine headaches, including migraine variants with tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21026112
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 21026112.
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 a separate rating for a left knee meniscal condition prior to March 1, 2021 was denied. The Board found that there were no frequent episodes of locking or effusion into the joint during this period.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of both knees was also denied. The Board determined that his conditions did not meet the criteria for loss of use as defined by VA regulations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability as further development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, bilateral trochanteric pain syndrome, and a gastrointestinal disability, to obtain additional medical opinions.
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