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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20049197.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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