The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis has been manifested by complaints of pain and limited flexion, at most to 70 degrees. The service-connected left knee disability includes a meniscal tear with symptoms such as repeated effusion, pain, locking, and swelling.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was found to be limited to 70 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261. The meniscal tear is separately rated as a separate disability (Diagnostic Code 5258).
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Early Osteoarthritis, Meniscal Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 1, 2015
- Citation
- 1550232
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 1550232.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), and awarded an initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension).
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee partial replacement surgery is rated at 30 percent from September 28, 2020, and no higher. The decision acknowledges the Veteran's pain but finds that his knee does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic residuals.
- Granted
The Board has granted a separate 20% rating for the right knee dislocated semi-lunar cartilage from August 27, 2007. The effective date is set at this date as it marks the earliest ascertainable date on which the symptoms warranting the rating first arose.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The claim will be reconsidered with additional medical evaluations and consideration of all relevant evidence, including lay statements.
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