The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The left knee DJD and right knee recurrent subluxation are rated at 10% and 30%, respectively, while the left knee lateral instability is rated at 20%. No new evidence was presented to reopen any previously denied claims.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were evaluated based on their current manifestations without reopening of previous denials or submission of new evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee DJD, right knee DJD, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee lateral instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21000075
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21000075.
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 revision of a March 2009 rating decision that denied service connection for left knee DJD secondary to right knee DJD and granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD. The Veteran argued CUE in both decisions, but the Board found no evidence of CUE.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for revision of a March 2009 rating decision that denied service connection for left knee DJD secondary to right knee DJD and granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD. The Veteran argued CUE in both decisions, but the Board found no evidence of CUE.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee subluxation and instability during the period from January 29, 2014, to September 27, 2019. Additional development is required to obtain a retrospective opinion addressing this issue.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected left leg shrapnel injury is found to have resulted in left knee DJD. The Veteran meets the criteria for SAH due to his service-connected disabilities, which require constant use of a walker or cane for ambulation.
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.