The Veteran's left total knee replacement disability is rated at 10 percent from August 1, 2017 to March 20, 2018 and at 30 percent since May 1, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee range of motion was found to be within normal limits with no ankylosis or other complications, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Total Knee Replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19166768
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 19166768.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's left knee conditions and a TDIU claim. The right knee replacement cases have been remanded due to procedural issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's left knee condition, which was previously rated as status post total knee replacement. The VA examiner is to conduct range of motion testing in both active and passive motions, with weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing settings.
- Denied
The Veteran's left total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5055.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes during the appeal period.,Prior to February 9, 2019, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was rated at 10 percent. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited forward flexion and no evidence of ankylosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of Type II Diabetes Mellitus due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's combined rating for his bilateral knee conditions was reduced from 100% to 90%, but this reduction is considered proper as it followed a clear error in calculation. Other issues related to service connection are remanded.
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