The Veteran's left knee disability was granted an increased rating of 60 percent from June 24, 2014 to August 8, 2022 (excluding a temporary total rating period). As of August 9, 2022, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent was denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability most nearly approximated chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness following knee replacement surgery from June 24, 2014 to August 8, 2022 (excluding the temporary total rating period). The combined rating for knee disabilities may not exceed 60 percent due to the amputation rule. The Veteran's left knee disability did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee surgery, total left knee replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 29, 2026
- Citation
- 26001223
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 26001223.
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 increased 20 percent ratings for limitation of motion of the left and right knees prior to their respective total knee replacements, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for instability of both knees and in excess of 30 percent for total knee replacements.
- Dismissed
The appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 for upper left leg femoral artery repair, left eye emergency shunt resulting in blindness, urinary sphincter implant, and urinary sphincter control were dismissed due to a binding settlement agreement. The appeal for myelodysplastic syndrome as a result of radiation treatment, left knee surgery, and kidney surgery are remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for total left knee replacement and moderate osteoarthritis of the right knee, to include as secondary to a service-connected condition. The Board also denied effective dates prior to September 22, 2022, for certain disability ratings.
- Granted
The veteran's effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is granted as of January 8, 2020.
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.