The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction, as well as his service-connected right knee DJD, were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 30 percent has been granted for the meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction, but no higher rating is warranted due to lack of evidence showing more severe impairment. For DJD, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted based on the current range of motion findings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee extension was found to be within normal limits (not limited to 5 degrees), and his flexion was also within normal limits (not limited to 60 degrees). The VA examinations did not show any instability or lateral instability, which would warrant a separate rating under Diagnostic Code 5257. The Veteran's DJD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of limitation of motion in excess of what is already provided by his current ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Meniscectomy, Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 5, 2010
- Citation
- 1037601
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 1037601.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee DJD limitation of extension is rated at 30 percent, and his right knee instability is rated at 20 percent from April 17, 2017. The higher rating for the instability was granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee DJD and instability prior to December 19, 2023, and on or after that date have been denied. The RO found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2023, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.
- Granted
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 12, 2017 for the grant of service connection for right knee instability. The Veteran's claim was initially denied in August 2017 but new and material evidence was submitted within a year, leading to a separate rating for right knee instability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain but denied service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD). The Veteran's right knee strain is related to his in-service injury, while the DJD does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.
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