The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left knee disability is denied. A separate 10 percent rating, but not higher, is granted prior to November 16, 2019, and a separate 20 percent rating, but no higher, is granted from that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5055 due to lack of severe painful motion or weakness. A separate 10 percent rating prior to November 16, 2019 and a separate 20 percent rating from that date are granted based on slight and moderate left knee instability respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20065925
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,812 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20065925.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran does not meet eligibility requirements for PCAFC based on a November 2023 claim due to lack of personal care services. However, the Board finds the CEAT review consultation inadequate and remands the case for further clarification.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected left knee replacement was granted a 100 percent disability rating from November 1, 2023, to January 26, 2024.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted increased ratings of 60 percent for left and right knee replacements, finding that the Veteran's unsteady gait, chronic pain, weakness, swelling, and fatigue constitute 'severe painful motion or weakness' as required by Diagnostic Code 5055.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues for further development and rating consideration. The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a head injury was withdrawn, and the maximum schedular disability rating for his left knee replacement is maintained. Issues regarding increased ratings for right knee disability, shortening of the left leg, right shoulder recurrent dislocation, and facial scars are remanded.
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