The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee disability, including a 20 percent rating for instability and separate 20 and 30 percent ratings for limitation of flexion and extension, respectively.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed moderate instability with additional functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use over time, which warranted higher ratings under DC 5257. The Veteran's flexion was limited to 30 degrees and extension to 25 degrees, meeting the criteria for separate 20 and 30 percent ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19143257
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for eligibility to direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits granted in a July 2023 Board decision and effectuated in a January 2024 rating decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic conditions, rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment during the period from October 13, 2016 to October 13, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and surgical scar are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees even with flare-ups or repetitive use. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.
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