The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes a total knee replacement, has been rated at 30 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board finds that his current symptoms warrant an increased rating to 40 percent based on additional functional loss due to pain and weakness during flare-ups.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee disability, with chronic effusion, slight swelling, flexion to 95 degrees or higher, extension to 0 degrees, mild to moderate pain with motion, antalgic gait or limp, difficulty squatting, climbing stairs, and extended standing and walking, has been found to meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating under DC 5055 due to additional functional loss during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of shell fragment wound of the right knee, total knee replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 25, 2011
- Citation
- 1120446
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 1120446.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for further development, including to obtain a new VA examination and determine the severity of the Veteran's left knee condition while discounting the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The veteran's claim for service connection for left knee internal derangement, which resulted in a total knee replacement, was granted because the pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability with total knee replacement, effective October 18, 2020. The claim was reopened due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the initial denial in February 1994.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, instability, and total knee replacement, left knee scar, right-hand degenerative arthritis disability, left-hand osteoarthritis disability, and lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims for left shoulder disability, higher evaluations for hip disabilities, and TDIU are remanded.
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