The Veteran's combined rating for his left knee disability is 60 percent from April 3, 2015. The claim of increased ratings prior to this date is denied as a matter of law due to the 'amputation rule'.
The deciding factor: Increased ratings are not assignable as they would result in a combined rating in excess of 60 percent for the Veteran's left knee and thus violate the amputation rule.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Instability, Left Knee Limited Extension (Patellofemoral Syndrome and Suprapatellar Pouch Scarring)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22019120
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 22019120.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will consider all submitted evidence, including any new evidence provided by the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective December 18, 2025. The Veteran also received separate ratings for instability and dislocation of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee flexion limitation, and instability of the left knee are all rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations. The right knee scar is not compensable. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
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