The Board granted a separate 20 percent rating for the left knee meniscal condition and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis and an initial compensable rating for the nonpainful left knee scar.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's left knee disability, including a meniscal condition, warranted separate consideration while the current ratings did not adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, Left knee meniscal condition, Nonpainful left knee scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25044807
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 241 · Granted: 35% (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 A25044807.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, but remanded the issue of left knee disability due to insufficient evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for a left knee meniscal condition prior to March 1, 2021 was denied. The Board found that there were no frequent episodes of locking or effusion into the joint during this period.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of both knees was also denied. The Board determined that his conditions did not meet the criteria for loss of use as defined by VA regulations.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder from July 21, 2010, through October 24, 2019, and denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent on and after October 25, 2019. The Board also granted ratings of 30 percent and 10 percent for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension, respectively.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation, as well as DEA benefits, due to no evidence of a claim being filed within one year of separation from service.
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