The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee instability and subluxation prior to March 30, 2005 were denied. The reduction of the 20 percent rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome from August 1, 2013 was not restored. The 20 percent ratings for left and right knee instability and subluxation were restored from August 1, 2013. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show material improvement in the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities that would warrant restoration of the ratings or entitlement to TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee instability, right knee instability, left knee patellofemoral syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19143531
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral knee instability and denied service connection for right and left knee instability, finding no nexus between the Veteran's knee conditions and his service or service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders due to the need for additional VA examinations.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for right knee strain and instability but granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension from November 25, 2024.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot condition, right foot condition, cellulitis, right ear hearing loss, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal of the proposal to reduce a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain was dismissed.
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