The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities were evaluated, but the Board denied entitlement to higher ratings under various diagnostic codes. The decision did not address service connection or exposure basis.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no evidence of instability or subluxation in either knee, which precluded separate ratings for instability under DC 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Knee Medial Meniscal Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20074580
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and dismissed the claim for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease. The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, headache disability, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the impacts of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to care for himself and his need for aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee degenerative joint diseases, finding that her symptoms did not warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Denied
The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for both the left and right knee degenerative joint disease.
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.