The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his left knee post-operative left medial meniscectomy with arthritis, other than instability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 19, 2017 is also denied.
The deciding factor: There is no basis for an award of an increased evaluation as the Veteran’s left knee disorder symptoms are manifest by cartilage, semilunar, dislocated, with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint with flexion. The current diagnosis of the Veteran's left knee disability more closely warrants the already assigned 20 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee post-operative left medial meniscectomy with arthritis, left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21008866
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 21008866.
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 Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases in the December 2024 decision, and a need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is equivalent to ankylosis.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral foot pain, lower back pain, right knee pain, and left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear as they were concurrent with a request for higher-level review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for left and right knee conditions to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions, finding that no evidence supported an earlier date of claim or entitlement.
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