The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee and right knee were rated, with some adjustments made for instability. The Veteran received a 100% rating for his status post total left knee replacement from July 12, 2013 to September 1, 2014, followed by a 30% rating thereafter. For the period prior to July 12, 2013, he received separate ratings for instability of the left knee and arthritis of the right knee.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee was rated based on its severity as per Diagnostic Code 5010-5260. The rating assigned to his right knee disability was also based on its severity under Diagnostic Codes 5010 and 5260. For the period prior to July 12, 2013, he received separate ratings for instability of the left knee (rated as 10%) and arthritis of the right knee (rated as 10%). After his total left knee replacement surgery on July 12, 2013, his disability was recharacterized as status post total left knee replacement and rated under Diagnostic Code 5055.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left knee, Right Knee Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2017
- Citation
- 1702085
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 1702085.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to August 12, 2013 was denied as his right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating from April 1, 2016 was denied as he is already receiving the maximum allowable disability rating of 60 percent for total right knee replacement.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for PTSD was not granted, and the claims for left foot neuropathy, right foot neuropathy, left knee arthroplasty and rheumatoid arthritis, and right knee arthritis were also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability is found to have resulted from his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is caused by his service-connected left knee disability.
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