The Board denied an increased rating for left knee strain, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability and limited flexion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee had no observed symptoms of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability during the appeal period, limiting his claim to a 30 percent rating under DC 5257 for slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Strain, Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20002985
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 denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent for a low back disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) and 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, denied ratings in excess of 30 percent for left and right knee strains, granted separate 10 percent ratings for painful, noncompensable limitation of flexion of the knees, granted service connection for back condition and related radiculopathies, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right shoulder condition.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating of 50 percent from July 28, 2023. Other claims for increased ratings were denied.
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