The Veteran's right knee disability, which resulted from a total knee replacement surgery during active duty, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support an increase in the rating to account for severe painful motion or weakness.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that while there are limitations in range of motion and some instability, these do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5256, 5261, or 5262. The Veteran's symptoms align with the current 30 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Total Arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2018
- Citation
- 1822717
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1822717.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, and he is capable of performing substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) was denied. The right knee disability is rated at 60 percent, effective December 30, 2022.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of total right knee replacement was denied. However, the Veteran received a grant of service connection for right knee numbness (external popliteal nerve) with a 20% disability rating effective July 24, 2018.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty is not rated higher than 30 percent from January 1, 2015, to February 5, 2018. For the period beginning December 5, 2011, and thereafter, a separate compensable rating under diagnostic code 5257 is denied.
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