The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.
The deciding factor: The objective clinical findings and opinion from the January 2003 VA examiner did not indicate instability greater than moderate, thus failing to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- Instability of Left Knee, Left Knee Injury with Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2004
- Citation
- 0404358
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (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 0404358.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee arthritis and instability was denied. The current ratings for the condition are 10 percent for arthritis and 20 percent prior to February 7, 2021, and 20 percent from that date.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal as the Veteran's representative withdrew them in August 2022, and a TDIU is granted from November 9, 2010.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and bilateral flat foot, as well as increased ratings for the Veteran's knees. The decision found insufficient evidence to support the claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities, including limitation of extension and instability, are granted. She is not entitled to a higher rating based on limitation of flexion.
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.