The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities were granted, but the assigned ratings of 10 percent for left knee disability, zero percent for right knee sprain, and zero percent for bilateral shoulder sprain are found to be appropriate based on the current evidence.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is manifested by slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, which corresponds to a 10 percent rating under DC 5257. The right knee sprain and bilateral shoulder sprain are each currently rated as zero percent disabling (non-compensable) due to almost full range of motion in the knees and no evidence of impairment in either shoulder.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Knee, Right Knee Sprain, Bilateral Shoulder Sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 1, 2010
- Citation
- 1007472
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 1007472.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches based on prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month and severe economic inadaptability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
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.