The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knees prior to March 14, 2011 were denied. The right knee was rated at 20% under DC 5258 and the left knee was rated at 20% under DC 5258 with a separate 10% rating for subluxation under DC 5257. Separate ratings under DCs 5003/5010, 5260, and/or 5261 were not granted due to pyramiding.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's knee conditions did not meet the criteria for separate additional ratings as they were rated based on limitation of motion under DCs 5260 and 5261. The Board found that assigning a separate rating for painful motion would constitute pyramiding, which is not allowed.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Knee Meniscal Disability (Other Than Subluxation), Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Chondromalacia, and Osteochondritis Dissecans with Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19158408
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 19158408.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to inadequate examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease resulted in functional loss due to pain, instability, and required the use of a walker. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU from July 27, 2007.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating effective July 25, 2010. The claim for PTSD and the right knee conditions are denied.
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