The Board granted a separate 20 percent rating for left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage and recurrent subluxation, an evaluation of 60 percent for the residuals of a left total knee replacement from October 18, 2022, but denied a higher rating for limitation of flexion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated moderate lateral instability and episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint. The evidence was at least equally balanced that her left total knee replacement resulted in chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, and that she could not secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee disability (meniscal tear status post lateral meniscal transplant and lateral femoral condyle microfracture), Left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage, Left knee recurrent subluxation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2025
- Citation
- 25014099
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,185 · Granted: 28% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25014099.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right and left knee recurrent subluxations, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral knee disorder was not aggravated by service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for the residuals of a stress fracture of the distal left femur was denied, and his separate claim for a higher evaluation for left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage was granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extra-schedular basis from September 29, 2011, to March 15, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage is granted, while his claims for left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage and instability, as well as right knee degenerative arthritis, are denied.
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.