The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support evaluations greater than 20 percent for status post arthroscopy with arthrotomy of the right knee or a noncompensable evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The VA has also denied an increase in rating for chondromalacia and arthritis of the left knee, finding that the evidence does not support evaluations greater than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's right knee disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5257 (for slight impairment) or 5260/5261 (for limitation of flexion and extension), as there was no evidence of more than moderate impairment. For his left knee, the VA found that the veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5257 or 5260/5261 due to the presence of degenerative joint disease and meniscus tears, but no evidence of instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Status Post Arthroscopy and Arthrotomy of the Right Knee, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Knee, Chondromalacia and Arthritis of the Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 23, 2001
- Citation
- 0111685
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 0111685.
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
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