The Board granted separate ratings for a left knee meniscal tear and left knee instability, as well as a rating for left knee total replacement, but denied an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence showing dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of pain and effusion into the joint, as well as severe instability from September 1, 2018, to November 8, 2020, which warranted separate ratings under DCs 5258 and 5257.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee osteoarthritis, left knee meniscal tear, left knee instability, left knee total replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2025
- Citation
- 25009033
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral knee instability and denied service connection for right and left knee instability, finding no nexus between the Veteran's knee conditions and his service or service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders due to the need for additional VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings, and earlier effective dates, as well as dismissed his claim for a TDIU.
- Denied
The Board denied restoration of the 30 percent ratings for left knee arthritis (flexion), left knee strain arthritis (extension), and left knee instability, as well as a 20 percent rating for left ankle chronic sprain. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.
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