The Board has denied a claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected internal derangement of the left knee, currently rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there is no ligamentous instability or degenerative changes shown in the knee. The veteran's symptoms are best evaluated by rating them akin to dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking pain and effusion into the joint (Diagnostic Code 5258), which warrants a 20 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Internal derangement of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2005
- Citation
- 0526551
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 0526551.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus granting SMC based on aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability, including internal derangement with osteoarthritis and posttraumatic arthritis, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2021. Since August 1, 2021, the Veteran has been rated at 60 percent for chronic residuals of a left knee replacement surgery. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence supporting a higher rating.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed. The Board found that the left knee disability warranted a 30 percent rating prior to March 8, 2022.
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