The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) with limitation of extension from October 22, 2002 until September 27, 2024, and 40 percent thereafter; a 10 percent rating for left knee DJD with limitation of flexion from October 22, 2002; and a maximum 30 percent rating for left knee DJD with instability from March 13, 2006. He was also granted a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 3, 2002.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the Veteran's functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use as well as his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) with limitation of extension, left knee DJD with limitation of flexion, left knee DJD with instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2025
- Citation
- 25014256
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,604 · Granted: 65% (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 25014256.
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 Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The appeals remain in controversy as the AOJ did not grant the maximum available benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension and flexion are remanded due to inconsistencies in the July 2019 VA examiner's findings. The Board requires a new medical opinion to reconcile these inconsistencies.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee DJD with limitation of extension and flexion are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the July 2019 VA examiner's findings. The Board requests a retrospective opinion from Dr. T.N., or another qualified clinician, to reconcile these inconsistencies.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.
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