The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for post-operative residuals of a right ankle injury, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and total left knee replacement have been denied. The maximum schedular rating has already been awarded for each condition.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings beyond the current assigned levels under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- post-operative residuals of a right ankle injury, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, total left knee replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19191139
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 19191139.
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 an initial disability rating of 30 percent for the lower right leg strain prior to February 7, 2022, and denied a higher rating. The claims for increased ratings were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased 20 percent ratings for limitation of motion of the left and right knees prior to their respective total knee replacements, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for instability of both knees and in excess of 30 percent for total knee replacements.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, restless leg syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and higher ratings for allergic rhinitis, tension headaches, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and generalized anxiety disorder with unspecified mood disorder and alcohol use disorder. The claims for chronic sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and lumbosacral strain were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left sciatica and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, as both conditions were found to be caused by service-connected disabilities.
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