The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no current disability or evidence of left facial weakness. The patellar subluxation of both knees is rated at 10 percent each, while the traumatic arthritis of the right knee remains at a 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show current left facial weakness or significant instability in either knee that would warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes. The veteran's arthritis was rated based on limitation of motion and pain, with no additional service connection granted for any conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left facial weakness, patellar subluxation of the left knee, traumatic arthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2002
- Citation
- 0214531
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 0214531.
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 service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant as they do not result in anatomical loss or use of both hands, blindness in both eyes, deep partial thickness burns, full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand two claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinions and the need for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee and left patella disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examination, which is necessary to assess the current severity of these conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her death. The claims for service connection and a higher rating are moot.
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.