The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the postoperative residuals of a right knee injury and a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of small bowel obstruction is denied as there is no evidence of current partial obstruction.
The deciding factor: The appellant's right knee disability, characterized by instability and chondromalacia patella, meets the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257. The degenerative joint disease also warrants a separate rating under Diagnostic Codes 5010 and 4.59. For the small bowel obstruction, there is no current evidence of partial obstruction.
- Claimed conditions
- Postoperative residuals of a right knee injury, Degenerative joint disease of the right knee, Postoperative residuals of a small bowel obstruction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 21, 2003
- Citation
- 0320988
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 0320988.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development to ensure that the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is accurately assessed without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative spondylosis at L5-S1, left and right shoulder disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and depressive disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee based on the evidence showing limitation of flexion to 135 degrees and extension to 5 degrees, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for limitation of extension. TDIU was also granted due to the inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
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