The Veteran's instability of the right knee and degenerative arthritis with limited motion have been rated at their maximum allowable levels (10%) and are not entitled to a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support findings that warrant an increase in disability ratings for either condition, as they are currently evaluated based on limitation of motion and do not meet the criteria for more severe evaluations under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.
- Claimed conditions
- instability of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20005286
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee conditions due to insufficient medical evidence.
- 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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, except for a 20 percent rating for instability of both knees as of June 13, 2025.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for GERD and various increased rating claims while granting a 30% disability evaluation for IBS with constipation, an effective date of November 12, 2021, for the award of a 20% rating for right shoulder instability, and a 10% rating for painful motion of the right knee.
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