The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, while his lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 11, 2021, and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains at a 20 percent rating.,The Board denied all increased rating claims as the evidence did not support ratings higher than those currently assigned.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran’s knee disabilities were limited to less than 60 degrees of flexion, which is consistent with a minimum compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. The lumbar spine disability was rated based on pain and not actual range of motion limitation.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine (prior to May 11, 2021), Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine (from May 11, 2021 onwards), Right Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2022
- Citation
- 22068977
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 22068977.
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 Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective December 18, 2025. The Veteran also received separate ratings for instability and dislocation of semilunar cartilage.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial disability rating for her service-connected right shoulder degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not show that her range of motion is limited to less than 25 degrees from the side.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to inadequate examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease resulted in functional loss due to pain, instability, and required the use of a walker. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.