The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee replacement, does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent. However, he is entitled to an additional 20 percent evaluation for instability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability has been evaluated as degenerative joint disease and does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on ankylosis, limitation of motion, or impairment of tibia and fibula. However, his symptoms include moderate recurrent lateral instability which warrants a separate evaluation under DC 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (left knee)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 3, 2015
- Citation
- 1523632
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1523632.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's ratings for left and right knee degenerative joint disease have been granted, with separate 10% evaluations for instability. The effective date is not specified as the issue was not addressed in this decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's knee disabilities, including their severity and any associated neurological manifestations. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to provide updated findings on his service-connected bilateral knee conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for limitation of motion, and instability. A separate rating for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage has been granted.,The Veteran's left knee disability was previously rated based on limitation of motion, but a separate rating for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage is now in effect.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied. He is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, with separate ratings for slight instability and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.
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