The Veteran's appeal was denied as the assigned disability ratings for her left and right knee conditions do not adequately reflect their severity.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any evidence of instability, subluxation, or dislocated semilunar cartilage that would warrant a separate rating under other diagnostic codes. The flexion and extension limitations were within the noncompensable range for Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee DJD of the medial compartment, right knee DJD of the medial compartment, chronic musculoligamentous strain (both knees), right knee instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20050479
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 20050479.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 17, 2019, for the grants of service connection for right knee instability, right knee tendonitis, and right femur fracture are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability associated with degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of motion associated with tendonitis with degenerative arthritis is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the July 2024 fee decision is incomplete and does not properly identify the full issue at the center of the present appeal, including the specific amount of past-due benefits awarded and the amount withheld for fees. The case is therefore being remanded to provide a corrected fee decision.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no one has requested substitution for the Veteran.
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