The Veteran's left knee impairment is currently rated at 30 percent, which represents the maximum rating under VA regulations. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for cartilage dislocation and frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion since April 19, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code due to lack of additional functional loss or range of motion after repetitive use over time. The current 30 percent rating is the maximum allowed for his service-connected left knee impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Impairment, Cartilage, Semilunar, Dislocated
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20043125
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 20043125.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for knee disabilities were denied as there was no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2020 rating decisions.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent from July 20, 2020, to August 29, 2023. The rating for painful motion of the left knee (limited flexion) and limited extension remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at 30 percent from June 11, 2010 to October 29, 2014. The claim for service connection of left knee impairment and TDIU are remanded.
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