The Veteran's left knee disability, including status post reconstruction and degenerative disease, is rated at 20 percent for flexion limitation since January 15, 2019.,An effective date of October 11, 2012, has been granted for the increased rating of 20 percent for left knee status post reconstruction limitation of flexion.,The Veteran's meniscal tear is rated at 10 percent since November 13, 2017.,A separate 10 percent evaluation has been assigned for left knee extension limitation from November 13, 2017.,Left knee instability is separately evaluated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.,Left knee genu recurvatum is rated at 10 percent beginning December 21, 2021.,Painful left knee scars are rated at 10 percent.,An initial compensable rating of zero percent has been assigned for superficial left knee scars since December 21, 2021.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's flexion limitation is rated at 20 percent due to the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment, including pain, weakness, and instability. The effective date for this rating is January 15, 2019.,An effective date of October 11, 2012, has been granted for the increased rating of 20 percent for left knee status post reconstruction limitation of flexion due to the fact that no increase in symptomatic removal of cartilage was shown within one year prior to the claim.,The Veteran's meniscal tear is rated at 10 percent since November 13, 2017, based on his symptoms and functional impairment.,A separate 10 percent evaluation has been assigned for left knee extension limitation from November 13, 2017, due to the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.,Left knee instability is separately evaluated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period based on the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment.,Left knee genu recurvatum is rated at 10 percent beginning December 21, 2021, due to the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.,Painful left knee scars are rated at 10 percent since they meet the criteria for a separate evaluation based on their painful nature and size.,An initial compensable rating of zero percent has been assigned for superficial left knee scars since December 21, 2021, due to the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as there is no evidence that he is unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

Claimed conditions

Left Knee Status Post Reconstruction, Left Knee Degenerative Disease, Left Knee Instability, Left Knee Genu Recurvatum, Left Knee Surgical Scars

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

December 22, 2022

Citation

22071241

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 22071241.