The Board has granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for instability of the left knee and an increased rating to 20 percent for internal derangement of the left knee. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left hip and left knee.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence consistently showed some degree of instability in the left knee, warranting a separate evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257. The internal derangement of the left knee was found to have caused or aggravated the low back disability, meeting the criteria for secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Internal derangement of the left knee, Dislocation of the left hip
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2008
- Citation
- 0803629
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 0803629.
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.
- 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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