The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to March 19, 2009, for a 20 percent rating for instability of the left knee. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish that instability was present before this date.
The deciding factor: The earliest documented finding of instability is from March 19, 2009, and there is no evidence of instability prior to this date.
- Claimed conditions
- post-operative osteochondritis dissecans of the left knee, instability of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1708691
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 1708691.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary arteriosclerosis, and multiple joint issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since July 26, 2023. The Board has granted an effective date of that day for the award of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings due to a concurrent election of review options.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, instability of the right and left knees, and bilateral pes planus have been granted increased ratings.,Issues regarding limitation of motion with arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as a rating for bilateral pes planus prior to December 7, 2021, were withdrawn from appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability of the left knee are both rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran has continued to pursue this claim prior to changes in rating criteria.
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.