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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0916576.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this disability.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.