The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the current 10 percent ratings were proper and that higher evaluations were not warranted based on the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no limitation of motion or instability in either knee, and there was no objective clinical evidence to suggest more than a 10 percent evaluation for each knee due to pain and other factors under 38 C.F.R. § 4.40 and 4.45.
- Claimed conditions
- Chondromalacia, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 21, 2006
- Citation
- 0608107
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 Veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance but denied for housebound status.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back strain with pain and sacroiliitis with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC were denied. The left knee disability, including instability with DJD and painful motion, was rated at 30 percent since 1946. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for painful motion of the left knee. Prior to December 30, 2019, a noncompensable rating was assigned for left knee scarring; from that date onwards, a 10 percent rating was granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted a separate 10% rating for right knee instability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of intermittent instability do not warrant a higher rating.
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