The Veteran's right knee disability, previously evaluated as degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 20% since November 7, 2017. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability, status post total left knee arthroplasty, is currently rated at 30% since February 1, 2018. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's residual scar from his left knee surgery is currently rated as noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right knee disability was manifested by extension limited to 15 degrees, which warrants no more than a 20% rating under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of extension. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's range of motion is so severely limited as to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran’s left knee disability was manifested by intermediate degrees of residual weakness and pain, which were rated by analogy to Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension). The evidence does not show that the Veteran's range of motion is so severely limited as to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran’s residual scar from his left knee surgery did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7805.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Limitation of Extension, Left Knee Total Arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20041617
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 20041617.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 decided to remand the claims for increased ratings for various knee disabilities and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran needs additional VA examinations to determine the severity of her service-connected knee disabilities, including whether she requires assistance with daily activities.
- Granted
The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for right knee instability and limitation of extension, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not require a prescription from a medical provider for a brace or cane.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 50% for right knee limitation of extension from September 1, 2023 to June 24, 2024. Other issues related to instability and locking have also been addressed.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals as untimely, and denied any extension of time to file an appeal.
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