The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected left knee disability was denied as the combined disability rating for disabilities of the left lower extremity exceeded the maximum allowed by law.
The deciding factor: Pursuant to the 'amputation rule,' the combined disability rating for disabilities of the Veteran's left lower extremity shall not exceed 60 percent. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was rated under Diagnostic Code 5055, and when combined with his service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy, resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Total Knee Replacement, Left Lower Extremity Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2016
- Citation
- 1620250
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 1620250.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left total knee replacement with left knee arthritis and scar, status post left knee arthroscopy, are granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective February 28, 2025.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence having been received since a previous denial.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied entitlement to an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the claims for left and right lower extremity neuropathy and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, post-discectomy.
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