The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, which was initially granted. The evidence showed mild to moderate functional loss due to pain and early degenerative joint disease without instability or other severe impairment.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- status post medial meniscectomy, early degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 26, 2004
- Citation
- 0405356
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,440 · Granted: 30% (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 0405356.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal to restore a 30% rating for service-connected knee conditions has been withdrawn by her representative.
- Granted
The claim to reopen service connection for a left knee disability is granted, and the issue of whether it is related to service is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to June 20, 2007 and increased to 30 percent effective August 1, 2008.
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