The Veteran's request to restore a 30% rating for left knee limitation of extension was granted. A separate claim for a 10% rating during the period between December 1, 2015 and March 14, 2019 was also granted. However, any claims seeking ratings higher than 20% for left knee limitation of extension after March 14, 2019 were denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee condition improved to the point where full range of motion with pain was noted during examination, warranting a reduction in rating. The claim for increased ratings beyond 30% was not supported by evidence showing sustained improvement over five years.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Limitation of Extension, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Wrist Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19176161
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent for a low back disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) and 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left knee limitation of extension and a 30 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension from November 2, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, migraines, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of extension and left knee strain with ACL tear, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
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