The Veteran's initial increased rating for left knee residuals, rated as 10 percent disabling from December 23, 2016, to July 12, 2022, and 20 percent thereafter, is denied. A separate disability rating of 10 percent for left knee instability and/or patellar subluxation is granted, effective from December 23, 2016. The Veteran's increased rating for left knee instability and/or patellar subluxation from 10 to 20 percent under DC 5257, but no higher, from July 13, 2022, is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's left knee disability was manifested by subjective complaints of instability and/or subluxation, painful but full range of motion, and a history of a 2011 in-service partial release. From July 13, 2022, her left knee disability is manifested by flexion limited to, at worst, 30 degrees taking into account functional loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use, and moderate patellar subluxation with instability requiring the occasional use of a brace.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22071048
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 22071048.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee and back disabilities, as well as radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE), have been granted. Service connection is also granted for a right hip disability secondary to his back disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 30% for each knee. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient detail in the VA examination report. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address whether he has subluxation, instability, or semilunar cartilage condition of either knee and what causes his reports of giving way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee extension was rated at 50 percent effective May 12, 2023. The left knee extension was rated at 40 percent effective May 12, 2023.,Effective September 13, 2018 to May 12, 2023, the Veteran's bilateral knee flexion was most severely limited to 25 degrees. Effective May 12, 2023, the Veteran's bilateral knee flexion is rated at 10 percent.
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