The Veteran's claim for a separate 20 percent rating for dislocation of the semilunar cartilage of the left knee has been granted. The claims for service connection for right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and left hip strain have been raised but are not currently on appeal. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of fracture of the left patella is remanded due to lack of quantification of additional limitation of motion during flare-ups. The claim for TDIU has also been remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating claim.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee disability, including dislocation of semilunar cartilage and large complex tear of medial meniscus, requires a separate rating due to distinct symptoms not overlapping with other ratings. The claims for service connection are raised but not currently on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- large complex tear of the medial meniscus, dislocation of semilunar cartilage
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2018
- Citation
- 18131256
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 18131256.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by dislocation of semilunar cartilage and instability, has been rated at 20 percent since January 18, 2011. A separate 10 percent rating for mild instability is also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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