The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
The deciding factor: The medical records do not demonstrate chronic residuals with severe painful motion or weakness in either knee, nor do they indicate ankylosis, nonunion of the tibia and fibula, or limitation of extension to 30 degrees. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms are consistent with the degree of disability addressed by the rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Replacement, Right Knee Replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20059953
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 20059953.
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 Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent for the total knee replacement and a 10 percent rating for the scar. The appeal was granted on both issues.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's preexisting right knee disability was not worsened beyond natural progression during service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is dismissed. The Veteran's right knee replacement disability and lower extremity peripheral nerve disabilities are granted with increased ratings, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST) and remanded the claims for HIV-related illness, hypertension, left knee replacement, and sleep apnea.
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