The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability was denied. The RO assigned a 100 percent rating for total left knee replacement, which remained effective for one year following the surgery. After that period, a 30 percent evaluation was assigned from December 1980 to November 2002. A June 2009 VA examination showed improvement in the Veteran's knee disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show severe painful motion or chronic weakness of the left knee after June 9, 2009, which are required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5055.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1101758
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 1101758.
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 Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent for the total knee replacement and a 10 percent rating for the scar. The appeal was granted on both issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST) and remanded the claims for HIV-related illness, hypertension, left knee replacement, and sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee replacements, finding that there was no evidence of severe painful motion or weakness in either knee.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to a legally inadequate medical opinion. The Board finds that further clarification and explanation are needed regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services, supervision, or instruction.
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