The Veteran's total left knee replacement is granted with a 60% rating effective September 1, 2021.,A separate 10% rating for left knee instability prior to November 13, 2017, is granted. From November 13, 2017, the maximum available rating of 60% precludes a separate rating for instability.,No new effective date was provided as the Veteran's total left knee replacement remains at 60%. A separate rating for left knee instability from November 13, 2017, is denied.
The deciding factor: The April 2021 VA examination indicated severe painful motion in the left knee, warranting a 60% disability rating under DC 5055.,Prior to February 7, 2021, instability was rated based on severity (mild/slight, moderate, severe). The Veteran's complaints of instability were deemed sufficient for a 10% rating. After February 7, 2021, the criteria changed but the Veteran's condition did not warrant a higher rating.,The amputation rule limits the total disability rating for the left knee at 60%. A separate rating under DC 5257 would exceed this maximum.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Replacement, Left Knee Instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- August 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22043919
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 22043919.
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 30 percent for the total knee replacement and a 10 percent rating for the scar. The appeal was granted on both issues.
- 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.
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