The Veteran's initial request for a higher rating for his right knee meniscal tear with partial ACL injury was denied. A separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage prior to November 18, 2009, and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee meniscectomy from May 15, 2012, were granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's subjective reports of instability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating under DC 5257. The Board found that he had mild instability in 2005 and some play in the knee joint in 2016, which did not rise to the level of moderate instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee meniscal tear with partial ACL injury, Dislocated semilunar cartilage, Meniscectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18155841
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 18155841.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to August 12, 2013 was denied as his right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating from April 1, 2016 was denied as he is already receiving the maximum allowable disability rating of 60 percent for total right knee replacement.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability prior to December 4, 2019, and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The Veteran's symptoms approximated moderate lateral instability.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-operative meniscectomy and instability, is rated at 30 percent since January 1, 2007. A separate 10 percent rating for painful limitation of flexion has also been granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to separate compensable evaluations for dislocated semilunar cartilage and residual effects of the right knee, as well as the claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's right knee conditions are being reviewed due to incomplete medical records from previous examinations.
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