The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran also requested an additional TDIU (Total Disability Independent of Rating) but was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the left knee, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5055. The Veteran's disability is rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for TDIU as he has other service-connected disabilities and his education and work experience suggest he can perform sedentary employment.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19100155
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,329 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19100155.
What this means for you
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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 determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding his left knee, right knee condition, and coronary artery disease require further examination and medical opinion due to a lack of a VA examination in connection with these claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted service connection, and he receives a 10% rating for his right and left knee disabilities based on limitation of motion. Separate 20% ratings are assigned for instability in both knees.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for her left knee disability has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
- Granted
Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is granted.,An earlier effective date of April 29, 2010, but no earlier, for service connection for a back disability (lumbosacral and thoracic strain) is granted.
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