The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2022.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was employed full-time as a truck driver and freight handler throughout the appeal period prior to June 1, 2022.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, right wrist degenerative joint disease, right knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease status-post meniscus repair, right knee meniscal tear, right knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease based on instability, left knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease based on instability, degenerative arthritis of the left knee based on limitation of flexion, residual scars from left knee arthroscopic surgery, residual scars from right knee arthroscopic surgery, right knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease based on limitation of extension, left knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease based on limitation of extension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23024368
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 23024368.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee arthritis, and bilateral knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay evidence regarding the onset of symptoms in service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
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