The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no objective evidence of subluxation or instability, episodes of locking or effusion, weakness, nonunion of the tibia and fibula with loose motion requiring a brace, or arthritis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were limited to painful flexion and extension, stiffness, crepitus, tenderness, and reports of giving way and repeated effusion. There was no objective evidence of subluxation or instability, episodes of locking or effusion, weakness, nonunion of the tibia and fibula with loose motion requiring a brace, or arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Meniscal tear, Chondroplasty of the patella, Resection of the plica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 4, 2009
- Citation
- 0916576
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 0916576.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the rating decisions and need for further examination to determine the current severity of his left knee disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the February 2021 VA examination for the right knee disability is inadequate and remanded to obtain a new examination. The Veteran contends he should be awarded a higher rating due to his symptoms, including pain during active and passive range of motion testing.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it was incurred during active duty.
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