The Board granted a 10 percent rating for right knee strain with instability and an initial 10 percent rating for the surgical scar of the back, but denied a higher rating for right knee strain with limitation of motion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of recurrent buckling approximate persistent instability, warranting a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5257. The evidence does not show that extension is limited to 15 degrees or less, so the criteria for a higher rating are not met.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee strain with limitation of motion, right knee strain with instability, surgical scar of the back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25023847
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 915 · Granted: 38% (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 A25023847.
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 Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been granted. The specific conditions, including right knee strain with instability, bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and respiratory disorder, are all associated with service exposure in the Gulf War. The decision also includes a grant of SMC based on loss or use of a creative organ.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for various conditions, including bilateral hip and right knee disabilities, psychiatric disorder, and DEA benefits.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.
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.