The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized as postoperative residuals of a left knee injury, is rated at 20 percent prior to April 19, 2016. A separate 20 percent rating for the same condition is granted since June 1, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pre-total knee replacement rating was restored due to over 20 years of a preserved 20 percent rating under DC 5257 for instability and pain. Since June 1, 2017, the total left knee replacement is rated at 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee disability, Postoperative residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18122008
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 18122008.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's entitlement to higher level of SMC at the intermediate rate is granted, effective from January 8, 2021. He was previously in need of aid and attendance due to his left knee disability since February 1, 2017, and now has additional disabilities rated at 50 percent or more.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or functional impairment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left, right knee disabilities and right ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The cases will be returned for further development.
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