The Board denied an increased disability rating for the right knee sprain prior to February 4, 2020 and a separate compensable disability rating for residuals of TBI from that date.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show flexion limited to less than 30 degrees or extension limited to more than 15 degrees, which are required for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Sprain, Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21003970
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 21003970.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining records from the Lancaster Vet Center and private mental health professionals.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD and TBI residuals from 70% to 70%, effective October 28, 2020. The reduction was improper due to a lack of evidence demonstrating improvement in the Veteran's condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI residuals are currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 14, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with cannabis use disorder, depressive disorder due to another medical condition and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The case is being remanded because an inadequate examination was conducted by the VA TBI examiner.
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