The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as residuals of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with meniscal tear status post arthroscopic reconstruction, has been evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5258 for dislocated semilunar cartilage. The Board finds a rating of 20 percent is more nearly approximated for the Veteran's left knee disability due to frequent episodes of locking and pain. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for lateral instability of the left knee under Diagnostic Code 5257.
The deciding factor: The March 2012 VA examination report indicated that the Veteran had a past meniscal tear resulting in frequent episodes of joint locking and pain, warranting a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5258. The examiner also noted medial-lateral instability from 0-5 millimeters, which is rated as slight under Diagnostic Code 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Disability (Residuals of Meniscal Tear), Lateral Instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1638531
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 1638531.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10% for limitation of flexion prior to November 21, 2019 and as non-compensable thereafter. The rating for limitation of extension was denied with a non-compensable rating from November 21, 2019 onwards. Instability of the left knee is rated as 20% from November 21, 2019 onwards.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and limited motion, was found to be no more than a 30 percent disabling from August 20, 2012, to November 2, 2012. The separate rating for lateral instability was also denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia and lateral instability, is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not support an increase in disability beyond what is already reflected in the current rating.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's right knee condition is characterized by slight instability and limited extension, resulting in a separate compensable rating of 10 percent for lateral instability from May 9, 2014, to July 31, 2017. However, the Veteran does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome during this period. The Board finds a remand is necessary to determine the current severity of his condition after November 1, 2017.
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