The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee status post meniscectomy, total knee replacement with residuals secondary to meniscus tear and degenerative joint disease, as they are proximately caused by the Veteran's service-connected ankle condition.
The deciding factor: The private medical opinion provided greater probative value than the VA examiner's opinions due to its thorough review of the record and well-supported rationale connecting the Veteran's knee conditions to his service-connected ankle disability through the kinetic chain theory.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the right knee, Left knee status post meniscectomy, total knee replacement with residuals secondary to meniscus tear and degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25056441
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of flexion and in excess of 10 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's condition.
- Denied
The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's knee and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, but remanded the issue of a low back disability for further development.
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.