The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a separate rating of limitation of flexion of the right knee was denied. The Board found that January 23, 2009 is the earliest date that it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran experienced painful motion of his right knee to warrant such a rating.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for instability of the right knee was also denied. The Board determined that the evidence did not show persistent instability requiring a prescription for assistive devices or bracing.
The deciding factor: The effective date claim is denied because January 23, 2009 is the earliest ascertainable date of painful motion warranting a separate rating for limitation of flexion. The Veteran was already service-connected and receiving compensation under DC 5258 prior to this lookback period.,The instability claim is denied as there is no evidence of persistent instability requiring a prescription for assistive devices or bracing, despite the Veteran's use of assistive devices.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26014871
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 A26014871.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee and back disabilities, as well as radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE), have been granted. Service connection is also granted for a right hip disability secondary to his back disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 30% for each knee. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient detail in the VA examination report. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address whether he has subluxation, instability, or semilunar cartilage condition of either knee and what causes his reports of giving way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee extension was rated at 50 percent effective May 12, 2023. The left knee extension was rated at 40 percent effective May 12, 2023.,Effective September 13, 2018 to May 12, 2023, the Veteran's bilateral knee flexion was most severely limited to 25 degrees. Effective May 12, 2023, the Veteran's bilateral knee flexion is rated at 10 percent.
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