The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion or other basis to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show compensable limitation of motion or any other basis to award a rating greater than 10 percent under DC 5003-5261, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and lay statements.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee DJD (Arthritis), Meniscal Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20059970
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 20059970.
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: Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), and awarded an initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension).
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left knee partial replacement surgery is rated at 30 percent from September 28, 2020, and no higher. The decision acknowledges the Veteran's pain but finds that his knee does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic residuals.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a separate 20% rating for the right knee dislocated semi-lunar cartilage from August 27, 2007. The effective date is set at this date as it marks the earliest ascertainable date on which the symptoms warranting the rating first arose.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The claim will be reconsidered with additional medical evaluations and consideration of all relevant evidence, including lay statements.
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