The Veteran is granted a 20 percent initial rating for postoperative residuals of medial meniscal tear of the right knee and a 30 percent rating for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability from November 10, 2010. He is also granted a staged rating under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limited extension of the right knee.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's meniscal tear was not fully resolved by surgery and continues to cause frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, warranting a higher initial rating under Diagnostic Code 5258. His lateral instability is also noted, which warrants an additional 30 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Postoperative residuals of medial meniscal tear, Dislocated semilunar cartilage
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 20, 2014
- Citation
- 1437230
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 1437230.
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 has remanded the claims of entitlement to separate compensable evaluations for dislocated semilunar cartilage and residual effects of the right knee, as well as the claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's right knee conditions are being reviewed due to incomplete medical records from previous examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including effusion and instability, is rated at a 20% since March 2, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings or TDIU prior to April 2018 has been denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and temporary total evaluations due to his left knee disability were denied. The appeal is based on a direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial request for a higher rating for his right knee meniscal tear with partial ACL injury was denied. A separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage prior to November 18, 2009, and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee meniscectomy from May 15, 2012, were granted.
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