The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 31, 2019. From March 22, 2011, to May 31, 2019, the disability was increased to 20 percent due to frequent episodes of locking and pain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear with frequent episodes of locking and pain met the criteria for a 20% rating under Diagnostic Code 5258 (dislocated semilunar or meniscal cartilage of the knee, with frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joint).
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Meniscal Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19172936
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 19172936.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The reduction of the disability rating for headaches from 50% to 30% is not proper and is void ab initio. Effective dates are denied for various service connection claims.,Multiple issues related to initial disability ratings, effective dates, and earlier effective dates for higher ratings are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by painful motion and instability, is granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent effective October 21, 2024. The claim for an increased rating for left knee instability remains denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and back disability, preclude his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from March 19, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for left knee meniscal tear, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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