The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected ligament laxity of the left knee, right knee with degenerative changes, and right ankle instability. The veteran is also entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for his major depressive disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated that the veteran's service-connected ligament laxity of the left knee, right knee with degenerative changes, and right ankle instability were more severe than initially assigned ratings. The Board found no basis for considering other diagnostic codes or separate evaluations for arthritis or other conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Ligament laxity of the left knee, Degenerative changes in right knee with ligamentous laxity and tenderness, Right ankle instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 3, 2002
- Citation
- 0211206
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 0211206.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for TBI residuals and a 20 percent rating for right ankle ligament laxity, while denying an increased rating for right ankle instability.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, painful surgical scars on both feet, and non-compensable ratings for left and right foot surgical scars. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various musculoskeletal conditions were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for right ankle injury residuals and left ankle avulsion fracture of the malleolus and cuboid, as well as a separate 20 percent disability rating for right ankle instability.
- Denied
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right ankle instability.
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