The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent respectively.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy sciatic nerve, right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2025
- Citation
- A25032978
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted disability ratings of 20 percent for left knee meniscal tear and instability, and a 10 percent rating for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, but denied an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to bilateral knee disabilities, as new VA examinations are needed to adequately evaluate the current severity of his conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a new examination to address inconsistencies in the October 2023 VA examination report.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, subluxation and lateral instability, right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension, and a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) during the review period.
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