The veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities have been rated as 20 percent disabling. The claim for an increased evaluation has been granted, and the initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes prior to July 12, 2001, and in excess of 20 percent for laxity and instability after that date have also been granted.
The deciding factor: The veteran's left knee disabilities are rated based on their specific manifestations under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The claim has been granted as his service-connected conditions meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the left knee, Laxity and instability of the left knee, ACL tear, Residuals of trauma to the left knee with hyperextension, pain and swelling
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2003
- Citation
- 0308079
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 175 · Granted: 26% (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 0308079.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed as the claims were pending under the legacy appeal system at the time of the April 2021 VA Form 10182, which is not within the AMA's jurisdiction.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right inguinal hernia with scar and remanded the case for further development regarding a left knee disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee disability was denied, and his claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss were granted. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have left ear hearing loss at any time during the appeal period.
- Denied
The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that these ratings are not warranted based on the current evidence of record.
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