The Veteran's right knee disability is granted a higher rating of 30 percent from July 23, 2015 until January 22, 2018 and from December 3, 2021 to the present. The left Achilles tendon disability is granted a higher rating of 20 percent from June 2021.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee condition manifested with frequent flare-ups causing limited flexion to 15 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 30% rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. The left Achilles tendon disability was found to have marked limitation of motion, warranting a 20% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Posttraumatic Degeneration, Left Achilles Tendon Rupture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 26, 2023
- Citation
- 23024304
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 23024304.
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 right knee instability and posttraumatic degeneration were granted a separate rating of 10 percent from July 23, 2015 to September 15, 2015. The Veteran's left Achilles tendon rupture was denied prior to June 1, 2021.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, diagnosed as a left Achilles tendon rupture, was incurred during his period of INACDUTRA (inactive duty training) while on ordered physical training. The evidence supports this finding and service connection is granted.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left Achilles tendon rupture did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent during the initial rating period from December 10, 2008.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right knee disability and left Achilles repair, finding that his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on current clinical evidence.
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