The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee DJD with mild lateral instability and entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to military service or aggravated by other service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no direct relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities and his right knee DJD with mild lateral instability, and determined that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as he could still perform substantially gainful employment despite his knee conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee DJD with mild lateral instability, left knee traumatic arthritis, left knee instability (status post reconstruction of ACL)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 1, 2017
- Citation
- 1706247
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 1706247.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disability, characterized by painful motion but not ankylosis, flexion limited to 45 degrees or less, extension of 10 degrees or greater, instability, or subluxation, was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine and left knee traumatic arthritis have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a scheduled hearing.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for left knee meniscus, effective April 21, 2025, and an additional 20 percent rating was also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a revision of an October 1990 rating decision that initially denied service connection for left knee traumatic arthritis, finding no clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The correct facts were known at the time, and the rules then in effect supported the denial.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.