The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities have been denied. The RO has already granted the maximum 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5055 for right and left total knee replacements, effective from September 6, 2016.
The deciding factor: The criteria for a higher rating were not met as the Veteran's knee disabilities did not meet the required limitations of motion or instability to warrant an increase in his ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Total Knee Replacement Residuals, Left Total Knee Replacement Residuals, Post-operative Right Knee ACL Tear Residuals with Partial Medial Meniscectomy Residuals, Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease with Baker's Cyst, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease with Baker's Cyst
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 15, 2022
- Citation
- 22008869
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 22008869.
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 cases for further development due to a lack of VA knee examinations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also on appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's right total knee replacement residuals are rated at 60 percent since May 20, 2021. The Board finds that the condition most closely approximates chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right knee disabilities are being reviewed again, with particular attention to whether they are related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus or right ankle tendonitis.
- Granted
The Veteran's left total knee replacement residuals are rated at a maximum of 60 percent, which is granted.
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