The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran's left knee laxity, DJD of the left knee, and limited extension did not warrant a higher rating than 20 percent. The scar on the right calf with excision of the sural nerve also did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee laxity, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee, limitation of extension of the left knee, scar on the right calf with excision of the sural nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2010
- Citation
- 1035703
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 1035703.
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 granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee meniscal tear and denied his request for an increased rating for left knee laxity.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, along with other disabilities, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of April 1, 2020. She is granted a TDIU effective from that date.,Effective April 1, 2020, the Veteran also received SMC at the 's' rate due to having one service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently rated at least 60 percent disabling.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for limitation of flexion and extension of the left knee, as well as an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee postoperative synovitis and degenerative arthritis, due to insufficient evidence.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates related to various left and right hip, knee, shoulder, and other conditions as they were freestanding claims not continuously pursued from the initial rating decisions.
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.