The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left knee, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms and diagnostic criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the left knee, post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2003
- Citation
- 0301663
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 541 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0301663.
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 Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee status post meniscectomy was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 8, 2009, for the grant of service connection for left knee instability and a 30 percent rating was also denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 20% evaluation for left knee instability since May 31, 2005. The Veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee is not rated higher due to lack of ankylosis or dislocated semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for further development. The current highest possible rating of 40 percent has been assigned since August 10, 2007.
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.