The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were denied. The rating for the traumatic arthritis was not granted as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on flexion limitation, and the postoperative residuals of medial arthrotomy with relaxation of the anterior cruciate ligaments remained at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of objective evidence supporting additional functional loss or instability beyond what was already compensated by existing ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee traumatic arthritis, left knee postoperative residuals of medial arthrotomy with relaxation of the anterior cruciate ligaments
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19180321
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 granted restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for left knee meniscus, effective April 21, 2025, and an additional 20 percent rating was also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's right and left knee conditions, including traumatic arthritis, limitation of extension, and instability. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted beginning July 1, 2022.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for left and right knee traumatic arthritis but granted special monthly compensation based on housebound status.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee traumatic arthritis, effective April 1, 2008. The decision finds that the Veteran's symptoms of severe painful motion and weakness are chronic and significant.
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