The Veteran's left knee replacement is not productive of chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion; or the functional equivalent thereof. Therefore, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for status post left total knee arthroplasty, for the period from July 1, 2016, is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are mostly mild with occasional flare-ups and do not approach severe painful motion or weakness which would warrant a 60 percent rating. The functional loss due to pain does not significantly limit his ability to use the knee over time.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Total Knee Arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1753705
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 1753705.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, a right knee condition, or left total knee arthroplasty. The case is being remanded to provide an examination and opinion regarding these claims.
- Granted
Effective September 1, 2019, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Board has granted past due benefits for a temporary total evaluation of 100 percent for left knee arthroplasty, and an evaluation of 30 percent effective March 1, 2024. The decision also awarded Special Monthly Compensation based on housebound criteria from September 31, 2023, to March 1, 2024.
- Dismissed
Your temporary total disability rating for left knee surgery has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as your request was already fully addressed in a previous decision.
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