The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, based on functional impairment due to pain. The evidence does not support higher ratings as the limitation of motion is not severe enough to warrant a rating greater than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that both knees have some limitation of motion and pain with repetitive use, but do not demonstrate more than moderate knee disability (limitation of flexion or extension to less than 45 degrees).
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Trauma, Left Knee Trauma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 16, 2009
- Citation
- 0947630
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 0947630.
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 restored a 20% rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, effective June 1, 2014. The reduction from 20% to 10% was improper due to lack of actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of whether the reduction in his left knee disability evaluation was proper.
- Denied
The Veteran's disability rating for left knee trauma is denied as his condition does not warrant a higher than 10 percent evaluation.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to September 29, 2017, is rated at 30 percent for residuals of right knee trauma with mild laxity and a separate 20 percent rating for torn meniscus. The TDIU claim was granted.
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.