The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show more than mild recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, flexion limited to at least 45 degrees, or extension limited to at least 10 degrees even considering pain and other factors. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no ankylosis of the left knee and functional limitations due to pain did not meet the criteria for separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.
- Claimed conditions
- post-operative degenerative joint disease of the left knee (left knee disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19188122
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19188122.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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