The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show ankylosis, severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, flexion limited to 30 degrees, extension limited to 15 degrees, or impairment of the tibia or fibula with a moderate knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee osteoarthritis, status/post meniscal tear, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2020
- Citation
- A20018665
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 A20018665.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability after discounting the beneficial effects of medication. The effective date claim is denied as there was no prior communication or intent to file a claim within one year before August 31, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including residual sprain of the left ankle, sleep apnea, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome with arthritis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis, and erectile dysfunction, have been granted. A 10 percent rating has also been assigned for a right shoulder scar.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for left knee conditions was granted with an effective date of May 17, 2019. The claim for a cervical spine disability resulted in a 30% rating and effective date of November 10, 2021.,A TDIU was awarded on November 10, 2021, with an effective date of September 9, 2019. The issue of whether the TDIU should have been granted earlier is currently under review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck condition. The effective date for service connection of left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis as secondary to right knee osteoarthritis is January 20, 2020.
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