The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis with extensive cartilage loss, chronic ACL tear, and extensive medial meniscus tear, warrants a 20 percent rating for the entire period covered by this claim.
The deciding factor: The clinical findings consistently supported a diagnosis of severe instability and significant joint pathology, warranting the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5258.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee meniscal tear, Degenerative arthritis with extensive cartilage loss, Chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, Extensive medial meniscus tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1730385
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 1730385.
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 VR&E benefits were denied as she did not have an employment handicap and was found to be employable with her current skills, experience, and education. The appeal must be denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 21, 2011 for the service connection of right knee meniscal tear, with a rating of 20 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and patellofemoral pain syndrome, was incurred during his active service. The Board found that the evidence supported this conclusion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities with meniscal tears have been granted separate 20 percent ratings for right and left knees. The remaining issues of increased ratings are remanded.
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