The Veteran's right knee conditions, including meniscus tear and chondromalacia patella, are rated at a separate 20 percent for residuals of the meniscectomy. The limitation of motion is rated at 10 percent, and instability is rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee conditions meet the criteria for a separate rating under Diagnostic Code 5258 (infrequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion) due to frequent joint pain, locking, and effusion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee meniscus tear, Chondromalacia patella
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20063998
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,812 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20063998.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of motion was denied. A separate 20 percent rating for a right knee meniscus tear is granted. The claims for service connection for left hip condition and right foot gout are dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee patella tendon repairs, with painful motion, have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each. The instability in both knees has also been rated at 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee surgery on January 21, 2020, requiring at least one month of convalescence is granted for a temporary total rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including plantar fasciitis of both feet, a low back disability, a left ankle disability, meniscus tears in both knees, and hip disabilities, as additional development is necessary to obtain adequate medical opinions.
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