The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability has been denied. The current evaluation of 10% is based on painful motion, and the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) or 5257 (instability/subluxation) have not been met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability has been evaluated as degenerative arthritis with painful motion. The limitation of flexion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260, and there is no evidence of recurrent subluxation or instability warranting a separate evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral leg pain, left knee injury with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 18, 2015
- Citation
- 1507009
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 1507009.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a chronic undiagnosed illness manifested by bilateral leg pain, bilateral hand tremors, sinus problems, shortness of breath and recurrent transient ear noise due to Gulf War service. Service connection was denied for CFS.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral achilles tendonitis, gout, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression. The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, separate ratings for instability of the knees, a separate rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, and service connection for bilateral leg pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic sinus disability, respiratory disability due to exposure to asbestos, heart murmur, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral leg pain but granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for tinnitus, major depressive disorder, low back disability, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve.
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.