The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, but service connection was granted and a non-compensable rating was assigned for the left knee condition. The right knee condition received a 20% rating effective May 21, 2003. Service connection was also established for lumbosacral strain and sprain with no compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Internal derangement of the left knee, Internal derangement, patellofemoral chondromalacia, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, Lumbosacral strain and sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2007
- Citation
- 0739407
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 0739407.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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).
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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