The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 23, 2008 for a 20% rating for left knee scars was denied. The right knee disability claim was reopened based on new and material evidence received since the May 2007 decision.
The deciding factor: The criteria for an effective date prior to October 23, 2008 were not met as the Veteran's left knee surgical scars did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Scars, Right Knee Disability (Osteoarthritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 8, 2013
- Citation
- 1300607
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 1300607.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disability and a compensable rating for the left knee scars based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and denied increased ratings for tinnitus, rhinitis, left knee strain with meniscal tear, arthritis, and shin splints, status post patellar dislocation / tendon rupture surgery, left knee scars, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder and traumatic brain injury.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for COPD with OSA, headaches, and hypertension, but granted a separate 20 percent rating for meniscal tear of the left knee from August 27, 2019.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for the Veteran's right knee scar and a 20% evaluation for his left knee scars, finding that both conditions are painful.
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