The veteran's right knee disability, including partial medial and lateral meniscectomy and ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The veteran's left knee disability, including partial medial and lateral meniscectomies and repair of the anterior cruciate ligament, is also rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257. The Board concludes that there is no basis for an increased evaluation.,Regarding arthritis of the left knee with degenerative changes, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a separate compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The veteran's right knee disability has been rated based on instability and pain. The Board finds that the current range of motion (extension to 125 degrees flexion) and subjective complaints do not warrant an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.,For his left knee disability, the Board notes that the veteran's range of motion is also within normal limits, with no instability noted. The arthritis does not meet the criteria for a separate compensable evaluation as it is part of the overall right and left knee disabilities.,The evidence shows noncompensable limitation of motion due to arthritis in the left knee. There are no additional factors that would warrant an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Disability, Left Knee Disability, Arthritis of the Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2004
- Citation
- 0419274
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 0419274.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claims for urinary frequency disability and residuals of a cholecystectomy were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, including separate ratings for instability and meniscal conditions, but denied higher ratings for flexion limitations in both knees. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2021.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD and remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for tension headaches effective September 13, 2022, but denied earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions.
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.