The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence showing flexion limited to 15 degrees.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show the necessary range of motion findings or additional loss during flareups, which were required for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain (back condition), patella femoral syndrome of the right knee (right knee condition)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22070851
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 22070851.
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: Granted
The Veteran's back condition was reduced from a 40 percent rating to a 10 percent rating, effective May 1, 2020. The Board found that the reduction was not proper because there was no evidence of actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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