The Veteran's claim for initial and separate compensable ratings for left knee strain with a lateral nodule, as well as left knee instability, is granted. The initial rating of 10% has been assigned for the strain condition, while a separate 10% rating is granted for the instability.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical records consistently showed no more than slight lateral instability and limited flexion and extension, warranting the lowest available ratings under DCs 5260 and 5261. The Veteran's subjective complaints of pain were considered in assigning the compensable evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee strain with left lateral nodule, left knee lateral instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1612597
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 1612597.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities due to inadequate development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand orders.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate initial 20 percent evaluation for left knee disability and a separate 10 percent evaluation for right knee lateral instability from January 15, 2019, and also granted TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), to include unspecified anxiety disorder, and assigned ratings of 40 percent, but no higher, for lumbar spine L5 spondylolysis without spondylolisthesis, and separate ratings of 10 percent each for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee strain with effusion, right knee strain with effusion and status post anterior tibial tubercle avulsion fracture, left knee lateral instability, and right knee lateral instability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee conditions due to a need for an opinion that addresses the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's medications on her left knee disability throughout the appeal period.
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