The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status post meniscectomy with removal of loose body times two. The claim for an increased evaluation for laxity of the left knee is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is also denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and instability, warrants a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5257 for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability of the knee. The claim for an increased evaluation for laxity of the left knee is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis, Left Knee, Degenerative Arthritis, Right Knee, Laxity, Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 6, 2006
- Citation
- 0600373
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,467 · Granted: 18% (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 0600373.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically degenerative arthritis, was not rated higher than 20% prior to March 15, 2022, and 30% from that date. The Veteran also received a separate 10% rating for left knee instability throughout the appeal period.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee disabilities have been denied. The criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes were not met.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and various musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 20, 2011, to February 1, 2015.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability and a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis, right knee, with limited extension effective September 9, 2008. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for further examination. Increased ratings for his right knee disability are also remanded.
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