The Board denied restoration of the 30 percent ratings for left knee arthritis (flexion), left knee strain arthritis (extension), and left knee instability, as well as a 20 percent rating for left ankle chronic sprain. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not reflect an actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function in ordinary conditions of life and work, and the disability picture was not exceptional or unusual.

Claimed conditions

left knee arthritis (flexion), left knee strain arthritis (extension), left knee instability, left ankle chronic sprain, left hip strain with limitation of flexion, left hip strain with impairment of thigh, left hip limitation of extension, somatic symptom disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 29, 2025

Citation

A25110617

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine