The veteran's left knee disorders are currently evaluated at 20 percent for post-operative torn medial cartilage and cruciate ligament tear, and 10 percent for traumatic arthritis with limitation of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating under these diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The veteran's left knee conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher schedular evaluation based on his current range of motion and functional impairment, which are within the limits specified by Diagnostic Codes 5260 (flexion) and 5261 (extension).
- Claimed conditions
- Post-operative torn medial cartilage and cruciate ligament tear, Traumatic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2005
- Citation
- 0500668
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 175 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0500668.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including traumatic arthritis and thoracolumbar spine status post fusion, have resulted in the effective loss of use of both feet. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to these conditions. Additionally, the Veteran is also receiving SMC at the housebound rate based on his 100% disability rating from traumatic arthritis, thoracolumbar spine status post fusion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to incomplete evidence, including VA treatment records not being associated with his file. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis was denied as his disability is already at the maximum schedular evaluation available.
- Granted
The Veteran's right foot injury, which included a puncture wound and traumatic arthritis, was granted an initial rating of 10 percent from February 27, 2015 to November 7, 2019.
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