The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot conditions, including gout of the right knee prior to November 15, 2017, and left knee with limitation of extension prior to July 28, 2016, were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for gout of the left great toe prior to March 24, 2015.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of severe impairment or incapacitating exacerbations as required by the regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Gout of the right knee, Right total knee arthroplasty (TKA), Gout of the left knee with limitation of extension, Left total knee arthroplasty (TKA), Gout of the left ankle, Gout of the left elbow, Gout of the left hand, Gout of the left great toe prior to March 24, 2015, Left great toe with hallux valgus, status/post bunionectomy since March 24, 2015
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23055771
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 23055771.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for palmer/plantar hyperkeratosis, a right knee disability, and status post left total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae was granted, while the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition and compensable ratings for surgical scars were also denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations of their right total knee arthroplasty and right knee surgical scar have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations of their right total knee arthroplasty and right knee surgical scar have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Dismissed
Your appeals for higher initial evaluations for right total knee arthroplasty and right knee surgical scar have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal will not resume if a surviving family member requests substitution.
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