The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, including medial collateral ligament laxity, degenerative joint disease, total left knee arthroplasty (TKA), and adhesive capsulitis post-TKA, did not clearly and unmistakably pre-exist service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation during service or any other connection to military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current left knee disabilities are less likely related to his military service due to lack of pre-service documentation and absence of symptoms on separation physical examination.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee medial collateral ligament tear, degenerative joint disease (left knee), total left knee arthroplasty (TKA), adhesive capsulitis (post-TKA)
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2015
- Citation
- 1554470
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 1554470.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated VA treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional information about his work history and to implement the ratings as assigned in this decision.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee medial collateral ligament tear is not manifest by arthritis resulting in occasional incapacitating exacerbations, flexion limited to 30 degrees, or extension limited to 15 degrees. As such, the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition from July 3, 2014 to June 11, 2015 is denied.
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