The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his right knee disability was denied. A separate 20 percent rating was granted prior to June 27, 2011 for impairment of the semilunar cartilage. The Veteran's right knee disability is now rated under DC 5055 due to total knee replacement surgery in June 2011. Ratings higher than 30 and 60 percent were denied as of September 1, 2012 and May 20, 2019 respectively.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee disability was rated under DCs 5010 (post-traumatic arthritis) and 5003 (arthritis due to trauma). The VA examiner found noncompensable limitation of motion on both flexion and extension, but granted a separate rating for impairment of the semilunar cartilage. After total knee replacement in June 2011, ratings higher than 30 and 60 percent were denied as per DCs 5055.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee traumatic arthritis, impairment of semilunar cartilage
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21005950
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 21005950.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of increased ratings for right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as a rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, due to insufficient evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided in this remand do not comply with the requirements set forth in previous remands. The Veteran's right knee conditions, including traumatic arthritis and instability, as well as his status post total right knee replacement, are being remanded for further evaluation.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated at a 10 percent rating, effective June 25, 2002. The claim for increased ratings was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied an effective date prior to April 9, 1996, for the award of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability alone precluded him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.
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