The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The May 2021 VA examination report indicated no limitation of flexion or extension, and the Veteran's symptoms were primarily related to pain rather than functional impairment or instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Strain, Meniscal Tear, Tendinitis and Tendinosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26002656
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 A26002656.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), and awarded an initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension).
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.