An effective date of September 16, 2015 for the award of a separate 20 percent disability rating for left knee meniscal tear is granted.,An initial disability evaluation of 30 percent for a left knee disability based on instability is granted.,The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 3, 2024, for a left knee disability based on flexion is denied.,The issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating from June 3, 2024, for a left knee disability based on flexion is denied.,The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent prior to June 3, 2024, for a left knee disability based on extension is denied.,The issue of entitlement to disability rating in excess of 10 percent from June 3, 2024, for a left knee disability based on extension is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability is manifest by severe lateral instability and frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.,There was no significant or sustained additional loss of motion due to factors such as pain, weakness, lack of endurance, fatigability, incoordination, or flare-ups; there was no knee ankylosis, symptomatic tibia or fibula impairment, or genu recurvatum.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Meniscal Tear, Lateral Instability of the Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 10, 2024
- Citation
- 24034083
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 24034083.
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 reduction of the disability rating for headaches from 50% to 30% is not proper and is void ab initio. Effective dates are denied for various service connection claims.,Multiple issues related to initial disability ratings, effective dates, and earlier effective dates for higher ratings are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by painful motion and instability, is granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent effective October 21, 2024. The claim for an increased rating for left knee instability remains denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and back disability, preclude his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from March 19, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for left knee meniscal tear, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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.