The Veteran's right knee injury was denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to September 20, 2011 and granted a 20% rating as of that date. The Veteran's scleroderma with rheumatoid arthritis was initially denied but later granted a 60% rating effective September 23, 2011.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee injury did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5259-5260. The scleroderma with rheumatoid arthritis was initially denied but later granted a 60% rating as it met the criteria for separate ratings for each joint involved.
- Claimed conditions
- Postoperative residuals of right knee injury, Scleroderma with rheumatoid arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 20, 2013
- Citation
- 1326491
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 1326491.
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 right knee disability has been rated at 60% since February 1, 2015. The rating is for total right knee replacement and does not include subluxation or lateral instability.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disability and an increased rating for his postoperative residuals of right knee injury. The claim for hearing loss remains unresolved.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, while the left knee instability is also rated at 10 percent.
- Denied
The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and left rotator cuff disabilities were denied by the Board.
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.