The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted. For the period prior to May 1, 2014, his left knee was rated at 30 percent; from July 1, 2015, it was rated at 60 percent. For the period prior to August 21, 2012, his right knee was rated at 60 percent; from October 1, 2013, it was also rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s residuals from total knee replacements resulted in chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness, which met the criteria for increased ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5055, 5256-63. The combined rating did not exceed the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee, Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- May 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20031995
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 20031995.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee and back disabilities, as well as radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE), have been granted. Service connection is also granted for a right hip disability secondary to his back disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 30% for each knee. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient detail in the VA examination report. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address whether he has subluxation, instability, or semilunar cartilage condition of either knee and what causes his reports of giving way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee extension was rated at 50 percent effective May 12, 2023. The left knee extension was rated at 40 percent effective May 12, 2023.,Effective September 13, 2018 to May 12, 2023, the Veteran's bilateral knee flexion was most severely limited to 25 degrees. Effective May 12, 2023, the Veteran's bilateral knee flexion is rated at 10 percent.
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