The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to August 4, 2015, did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. From October 1, 2016 onwards, the disability warranted a 30 percent rating for total knee replacement. The right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 27, 2017 and remains at that level. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for instability of the right knee from April 22, 2016 to January 26, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to its current range of motion and functional impairment. The right knee disability was rated based on instability rather than limitation of motion as the Veteran presented with symptoms consistent with instability.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia, right knee degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1734197
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 1734197.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of a justiciable case or controversy as there are no pending appeals in the legacy system regarding service connection for back disability, TDIU, and increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations, including a lack of information regarding flare-ups and additional loss of range of motion during such periods.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the current disability is proximately due to or the result of the service-connected condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
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