The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a separate rating for his right ankle sprain, have been granted. Each knee disability is rated at 10 percent, with additional 20 percent ratings for instability and impairment of the semilunar cartilage, and 10 percent ratings for arthritis with noncompensable limitation of motion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of instability, pain, and joint effusion were consistent throughout the claims period, warranting increased ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5257 (instability), 5258 (impairment of semilunar cartilage), and 5003 (arthritis).
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Instability, Left Knee Instability, Arthritis in Right Knee, Arthritis in Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20001865
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,104 · Granted: 28% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
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 20001865.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right knee strain (painful motion), and right knee instability are now rated at 30 percent effective August 16, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted a separate rating of 30 percent for right knee instability, but has remanded the issue of an increased rating for right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider the effects of pain medication.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation.
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