The Veteran's right knee arthritis, which required a total knee replacement, was rated at 10 percent prior to September 16, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or painful motion.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed limited extension (to no worse than 2 degrees) and flexion (to no worse than 115 degrees), which were within the range for a 10 percent disability rating under DCs 5261 and 5260, respectively. The Veteran's painful motion was considered in determining the appropriate rating.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20075012
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for the claimed conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his active duty service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and tinnitus. The increased evaluation claim for pes planus was denied, as was the increase in rating for the right wrist fracture. The reduction of the right wrist rating from 10 percent to 0 percent was found improper, restoring the 10 percent rating.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis and a separate 30 percent or higher rating for the period from January 1, 2020, to July 23, 2025, but granted a 10 percent rating for right knee slight recurrent subluxation and lateral instability.
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