The veteran's service-connected left knee disability was initially rated at 10 percent from May 12, 1999 until February 19, 2002. From February 19, 2002 to April 17, 2002, the rating was increased to 30 percent due to severe bone on bone arthritis and loss of motion and stability. Following a total knee replacement on April 17, 2002, the disability has been rated as totally disabling.
The deciding factor: The veteran's left knee disability presented with significant degenerative changes that resulted in limited flexion and extension, but no ankylosis or other severe manifestations warranting higher ratings under applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2003
- Citation
- 0303141
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 127 · Granted: 25% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0303141.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance claims have been granted effective from November 23, 2019.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for his lumbar and cervical spine conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence in support of the Veteran's previously denied service-connection claim for a back condition to include degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome were granted a 20 percent rating, effective from January 8, 2021. The Veteran also received restoration of the 20 percent rating for instability of the right knee.
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