The VA has granted an increased rating of 10% for synovitis of the left knee, but denied a claim for increased ratings for bursitis of the right knee. The decision is based on the current service-connected conditions without any presumption or new evidence.
The deciding factor: The clinical findings showed essentially normal range of motion in both knees, with some painful limitation and occasional swelling noted. The veteran's subjective complaints were considered but did not result in a higher evaluation due to lack of additional functional loss beyond what is already contemplated by the current 10% rating for synovitis of the left knee.
- Claimed conditions
- synovitis of the left knee, bursitis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 27, 2003
- Citation
- 0303458
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 464 · Granted: 21% (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 0303458.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for synovitis of the left knee and lateral instability of the left knee since January 19, 2018 are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for right knee disability (secondary to left knee), left ankle disability (secondary to left knee), increased ratings for synovitis of the left knee, status-post total arthroplasty of the left knee, posttraumatic changes of the left hip, residuals of a left tibia fracture, and TDIU prior to and since November 13, 2012.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee synovitis and lateral instability due to inadequate VA examinations, failure to address entitlement to a separate rating under DC 5258, and insufficient reasons or bases in the April 2017 decision denying a separate disability rating for left knee instability prior to January 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.
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