The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been rated as 10 percent disabling each under Diagnostic Code 5257, but the appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome has been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260 and her right knee strain has also been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5261. The appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.,The Veteran's left leg varicose veins have been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7120, but the appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a higher rating for any of the service-connected conditions based on additional functional loss or instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Strain, Left Knee Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Left Leg Varicose Veins
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20045844
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 20045844.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability evaluations and denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition. The Veteran was granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder.
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