The Board has granted a combined rating of 60% for the veteran's left knee disabilities, which includes ligamentous disorder and degenerative joint disease. The decision also grants TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the veteran's obesity contributes to his disability, but he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for limitation of motion due to instability. Ankylosis was not found, so it cannot serve as a basis for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- ligamentous disorder of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 1, 2002
- Citation
- 0215498
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 0215498.
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 denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, but granted service connection for prostate cancer.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including various musculoskeletal conditions and mental health disorders.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee from August 17, 2018 through August 11, 2020 and a 60 percent rating for status-post left total knee replacement from October 1, 2021, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
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.