The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The RO granted TDIU from March 29, 2018 to October 27, 2022.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Strain, Right Knee Strain, Left Tibia Mid-Third Fracture with Left Ankle Strain and Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Right Index Finger Strain with Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Long Finger Strain with Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Ring Finger Strain with Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Little Finger Strain with Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Thumb Strain with Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23046630
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 23046630.
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 right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
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