The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including DJD of the knees and degenerative arthritis in both knees, as well as a meniscal tear in the right knee, were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately compensated for the Veteran's functional limitations.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the existing rating criteria under DC 5260 (limitation of flexion) and DC 5261 (limitation of extension), which already account for the Veteran’s knee disabilities. The Board determined that separate ratings were not warranted as they would result in duplication.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of bilateral knees, Right Knee Degenerative Arthritis, Left Knee Degenerative Arthritis, Right Knee Meniscal Tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20074971
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
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- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities, collectively warranted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from July 7, 2022 to October 9, 2023.
- Partly granted
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