The Veteran's partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, right knee, post-operative, with scars and instability, rated as 20 percent disabling for the rating period prior to April 20, 2022, was denied.,The Veteran's right knee, status-post surgery, partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, with limitation of motion, rated as 10 percent disabling for the rating period prior to April 20, 2022, was denied.,The Veteran's right total knee replacement is now rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2022.,The Veteran's right total ankle replacement remains rated at 40 percent since September 26, 2017.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, right knee, post-operative, with scars and instability, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria. The symptoms of moderate instability were considered.,The Veteran's right knee, status-post surgery, partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, with limitation of motion, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation as his flexion was limited to 125 degrees, which is within the range for a 10 percent rating. The Veteran reported pain on motion and weakness.,The Veteran's right total knee replacement met the criteria for a 30 percent disability evaluation under the new rating criteria due to complaints of pain, limitation of flexion, and weakness.,The Veteran's right total ankle replacement did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation as his symptoms were rated at 40 percent since September 26, 2017. The Veteran had chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, right knee, Right ankle, status-post total ankle replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22072176
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 22072176.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.