The Veteran's left knee instability is now rated at 20 percent effective February 7, 2021. The previous separate rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage remains in effect.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found the Veteran had frequent episodes of joint 'locking' and pain, which are indicative of instability warranting a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5259.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee meniscectomy residuals, left knee removal of semilunar cartilage
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22067562
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 22067562.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to bilateral knee disabilities, as new VA examinations are needed to adequately evaluate the current severity of his conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and granted some, including a 20% rating for right ankle arthritis from April 2, 2022, and separate 30% ratings for left and right knee ankylosis starting May 23, 2022.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for right knee total replacement, migraine headaches, internal derangement of the right ankle, major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis with IVDS and strain in the lumbar spine, sciatic radiculopathy in both lower extremities, left knee meniscectomy residuals, and left knee instability was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at June 14, 2014.
- Dismissed
The Board has granted an effective date of October 25, 2018, for the Veteran's service-connected left knee meniscectomy residuals. The issue is now dismissed as moot since the benefit sought has been fully granted.
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