The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee conditions were denied. He was previously rated at 20% for a torn medial meniscus and instability, but the Board found no evidence of more than moderate instability or severe limitation of extension.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support higher ratings as there was no indication of severe instability or limitation of extension beyond what was already reflected in his current rating.
- Claimed conditions
- torn medial meniscus, instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19178260
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request for a higher disability rating for both left shoulder and left elbow disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound.
- Granted
The veteran's torn medial meniscus and chondromalacia patella, right knee, have been rated at 10 percent since April 25, 1998. His degenerative joint disease, right knee, has also been rated at 10 percent.
- Denied
The Board found the veteran's right knee disorder not productive of severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, limitation of flexion of 15 degrees or less, limitation of extension of 20 degrees or more, malunion of the tibia and fibula with marked knee or ankle disability, or ankylosis to a favorable angle in full extension or in slight flexion between 0 and 10 degrees. Therefore, the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee disorder is denied.
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