The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed osteoarthritis and tendonitis but no instability or significant functional limitation due to pain with motion, fatigability, weakness, or incoordination.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Changes of the Right Knee, Tendonitis of the Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2002
- Citation
- 0213373
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 0213373.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating prior to May 1, 2018 and from July 1, 2019 for his right total knee replacement was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the current 20 percent and 30 percent ratings.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disorders have been denied. The Board found that the current level of severity of his bilateral knee disorder does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is rated at 30 percent from June 1, 2011. The Board found that the condition met the criteria for a 60% rating but only granted a 30% evaluation based on the current effective date.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative changes of the right knee are at least as likely as not due to an in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.