The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities and dextroscoliosis of the back with degenerative changes have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support assigning higher disability ratings for any of these conditions.,For chondromalacia in the left knee with degenerative changes, a 10 percent rating was assigned, which is the highest schedular rating available under DCs 5263 and 5014. The Veteran's meniscus tear received a 20 percent rating, also the maximum schedular rating under DC 5258. Left knee laxity was rated at 10 percent prior to December 17, 2018, and zero thereafter. Dextroscoliosis of the back with degenerative changes was rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions warranted a higher disability rating based on their severity or impact on his daily life.
- Claimed conditions
- chondromalacia in the left knee with degenerative changes, left knee meniscus tear, left knee laxity, dextroscoliosis of the back with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20049197
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20049197.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee meniscal tear and denied his request for an increased rating for left knee laxity.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a full grant of benefits in prior decisions. Service connection is granted for left knee meniscus tear.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The claim of an initial rating higher than 20 percent for left knee meniscus tear is being remanded due to incomplete medical reports and the need for updated VA treatment records, including non-VA community care consultations.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and dismissed the claim for tinnitus as moot, while denying increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and remanding several back and limb conditions for further evaluation.
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