The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant such a higher rating based on limitation of motion and meniscal symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s left knee disability resulted in limited flexion to at most 90 degrees with full extension, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 5261 or 5260. The presence of meniscal symptoms did not warrant separate ratings under DCs 5258 and 5259.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee meniscal tear, Degenerative osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the left femoral tibial joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20062430
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 20062430.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities with meniscal tears have been granted separate 20 percent ratings for right and left knees. The remaining issues of increased ratings are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, as well as left knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, both of which were incurred during active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone were of such nature and severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to sleep apnea and denied the other claims on appeal.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.