The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis, right knee, status post right leg fracture with ORIF surgery was denied. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for slight instability of the right knee.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed limited extension to 10 degrees and no lateral instability, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5261 or Diagnostic Code 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis, right knee, Right leg fracture with ORIF surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20073881
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,480 · Granted: 26% (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 20073881.
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 remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer, service connection for osteoarthritis of both knees, pseudophakia (claimed as vision), and entitlement to TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim from September 7, 2016 was granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim that the August 6, 2014 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The correct combined rating of 40 percent for service-connected osteoarthritis, right knee was calculated based on VA regulations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to service.
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.