The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board upheld the RO's decisions regarding right knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spondylosis, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy from September 24, 2021 onwards. However, separate 20 percent disability ratings were granted for femoral nerve radiculopathy (both lower extremities) effective September 24, 2021.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee degenerative joint disease, right knee patellar instability, lumbar spondylosis, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, urinary incontinence, impairment of rectal sphincter control
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23026917
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 23026917.
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 claim for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, including secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, is granted. The condition was not related to military service and no aggravation by the service-connected left knee disability could be established.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and thus remands the case to obtain addendum medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, but denied her claims for acid reflux disease and urinary incontinence. The decision also remanded her bilateral shoulder disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.
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