The VA has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which includes ACL reconstruction and mild degenerative joint disease, warrants a 30 percent evaluation. The current rating is denied as there are no additional disabilities based on functional loss or other factors.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support an increase in the evaluation beyond 30 percent due to the veteran's reported symptoms and objective findings which align with the current 30 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction, Mild Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2002
- Citation
- 0200197
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0200197.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for left hip strain was granted with a 10% rating, and his left knee ACL reconstruction was also rated at 10%. The 20% rating for the left knee was reduced to 10% effective April 11, 2014. However, the reduction is denied as it did not reflect an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of work and life.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left elbow epicondylitis with mild degenerative joint disease has been rated at 10 percent since December 31, 2009. The current evidence does not support a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability does not preclude substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back strain with mild degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.
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