The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee tricompartmental degenerative joint disease was denied. The Board found that the disability did not exceed a noncompensable (0%) evaluation, as it was consistent with the pre-aggravation extent of disability. For TDIU, the criteria were met due to multiple service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee DJD did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5260/5003 due to limited range of motion, and there was no evidence of instability, meniscal injury, or ankylosis. The Board also found that he did not have occasional incapacitating exacerbations as required by DC 5003 for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee tricompartmental degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20065573
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 940 · Granted: 21% (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 20065573.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking to have the June 2010 rating decision, which denied service connection for left knee tricompartmental degenerative joint disease, revised due to clear and unmistakable error. The appeal involves allegations of CUE in the original decision based on a May 2010 VA examiner's opinion linking the Veteran's condition to military service. The Board is remanding the case to obtain clarification on the dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee conditions is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of regulatory changes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to October 7, 2005, and granted a higher evaluation of 40 percent effective October 7, 2005.
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