The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and instability, is rated at 20 percent under the criteria for osteoarthritic changes of the knee. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for instability. The effective date for service connection of a left knee disability remains September 20, 2011.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee disability was found to be manifested by X-ray evidence of arthritis and limited range of motion with subjective complaints of pain, stiffness, weakness, and giving way. The examiner noted no instability or subluxation but did find crepitus and cartilage damage that most nearly approximated dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Strain, Osteoarthritic Changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2015
- Citation
- 1551599
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 1551599.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability evaluations and denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition. The Veteran was granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder.
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