The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to November 28, 2016, was rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion and a separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion. The right knee scars were rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability prior to November 28, 2016, met the criteria for a separate rating under DC 5258 due to dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion. The right knee scars were rated at 10 percent as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on deep and nonlinear scars or multiple unstable or painful scars.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee strain, left total knee replacement, right knee scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19195928
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19195928.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, shin splints of the right leg, and shin splints of the left leg are being remanded due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and medical nexus opinions.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial evaluations for left knee strain, limitation of extension and flexion were both denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits as they have no jurisdiction.
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