The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome with a history of meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period. The Board denied an increased rating higher than 10 percent due to lack of limitation of motion that would warrant a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for left knee instability prior to February 7, 2021, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant an increased rating as he had no significant limitation in range of motion, and the pain was noted to be non-limiting during testing.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, status-post meniscectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21016151
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 21016151.
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 has determined that the VA examinations provided for the Veteran's knee and palatal tympanic myocronus claims were inadequate, and thus these cases must be remanded to obtain new evaluations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but has remanded the cases of left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including arthritis, is service connected as it had its onset during his active service and there is no clear and unmistakable error in previous decisions. The appeal for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected right ankle degenerative arthritis and his current knee conditions.
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