The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for osteoarthritis of both knees are denied as there is no evidence showing that the disabilities meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show instability, subluxation, or other conditions warranting separate evaluations under Diagnostic Code 5257. The veteran's symptoms were primarily pain and limited range of motion without significant functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis of the left knee, Osteoarthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 6, 2002
- Citation
- 0209243
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 0209243.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, and left ankle strain are remanded due to inadequate VA compensation examination reports.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address the inadequacies of previous examinations and obtain any relevant private treatment records.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, limitation of extension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and osteoarthritis of the left knee due to a need for another VA examination.
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