The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee surgery did not meet the criteria for a temporary total rating based on hospitalization or convalescence due to a service-connected disability, as there is no evidence of at least 21 days of inpatient treatment. The Veteran also does not qualify for a temporary total rating based on the need for a period of convalescence following surgery.
The deciding factor: The medical records do not show that the Veteran required more than 21 days of hospitalization or convalescence due to his knee surgery, and there is no indication of severe post-operative residuals such as immobilization by cast without surgery of one major joint or more.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Degenerative Changes, Medial Meniscal Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2011
- Citation
- 1108668
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 1108668.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim was denied for higher ratings prior to September 2, 2021 and from September 2, 2021 to January 18, 2023. However, he received a 60 percent evaluation for ankylosis of the right knee beginning January 18, 2023.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for painful and limited flexion, limitation of extension, or degenerative changes with meniscus tear and lateral collateral ligament instability.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a medial meniscal tear, was granted ratings for limitation of flexion, extension, and instability from March 26, 2012, to March 23, 2016. A TDIU rating was also granted during this period.
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.