The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as a separate rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage in the left knee, were all denied by the Board. The Veteran was not granted any higher disability ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show additional functional loss or impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigue, lack of endurance, or incoordination that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (Knee), Symptomatic Removal of Semilunar Cartilage (Left Knee)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20007648
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,858 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20007648.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to October 4, 2016 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection for a right knee lateral aspect scar is granted. The Veteran's increased ratings for his left and right knee degenerative joint disease are granted, with specific conditions for each period of time.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees, as well as a separate rating for left knee instability. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent were not met.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's knee disorders and to determine appropriate ratings. The claims are being remanded for this purpose.
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