The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The left knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, also denied.,Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for meniscus tears in both knees.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his range of motion and functional loss do not warrant a higher evaluation under DCs 5260 or 4.71a, with consideration given to pain and other factors.,For the left knee, ankylosis was found at slight flexion (8 degrees), which corresponds to the currently assigned 30 percent rating under DC 5256. The Veteran's meniscus tears are rated separately as they cause additional functional loss not already compensated by the current ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis of the right knee, Osteoarthritis of the left knee, Meniscus tear of the right knee, Meniscus tear of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21009156
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 21009156.
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 claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, and left ankle strain are remanded due to inadequate VA compensation examination reports.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address the inadequacies of previous examinations and obtain any relevant private treatment records.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, limitation of extension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and osteoarthritis of the left knee due to a need for another VA examination.
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