Knee
Knee conditions are rated on range of motion, instability, and arthritis. Many appeals are remanded for a current examination, so a denial is often not the end of the road.
Across 17,062 real Board appeals for Knee
67% were granted, partly granted, or remanded.
A denial is often not the end — remands are sent back for more development and frequently end in a grant.
- Granted 13%
- Partly granted 23%
- Remanded 31%
- Denied 25%
What tends to win
Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Knee was linked to service:
- Direct service connection4,696
- Secondary to another service-connected condition490
- Reopened with new & material evidence384
How it’s rated, in practice
When Knee was granted, the rating most often assigned was:
- 100% (1,054)
- 10% (480)
- 20% (359)
- 30% (233)
- 70% (125)
Presumptive & exposure paths
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
- PACT Act137
- Gulf War119
- Agent Orange / herbicides61
- Camp Lejeune water43
- Burn pits & airborne hazards33
Real decisions
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for limitation of extension of the right knee and a 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee, but no higher.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's total left knee replacement and a 10 percent rating for scars residual to left knee surgery.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee, and left knee as secondary to the right knee.
What you can do next
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.