The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For his lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, the evidence does not support an increased rating prior to February 28, 2022. However, from that date forward, he is entitled to a 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability warrants a 10 percent rating from January 1, 2015, to December 15, 2017. From December 15, 2017, his right and left knee instability each warrant a separate 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's left knee instability is not shown to meet the criteria for an increased rating from December 15, 2017.
The deciding factor: The most probative evidence does not support findings of greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is considered mild in severity without any documented polyps.,From January 1, 2015, to February 28, 2022, the evidence does not support findings of forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, abnormal gait, or abnormal contour of the spine. The Veteran's back disability is considered mild in severity without any documented incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran had painful left knee as of January 1, 2015, no more than mild instability of the left knee as of December 15, 2017, and no more than mild instability of the right knee as of January 1, 2015. The evidence does not support findings of forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less.,The Veteran's left knee instability is considered mild in severity without any documented incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Allergic Rhinitis, Lumbar Spine Strain with Degenerative Disc Disease, Left Knee Disability, Right Knee Instability, Left Knee Instability (post December 15, 2017)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2022
- Citation
- 22068639
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 22068639.
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 service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in assigning an effective date of June 19, 2002.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
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