{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/knee-instability","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:15.683Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Knee instability","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1423,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":61.9,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":12.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":65.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":41,"granted_pct":36.6,"denied_pct":41.5,"remanded_pct":7.3},{"year":2018,"issues":42,"granted_pct":45.2,"denied_pct":42.9,"remanded_pct":11.9},{"year":2019,"issues":128,"granted_pct":54.7,"denied_pct":33.6,"remanded_pct":11.7},{"year":2020,"issues":296,"granted_pct":57.4,"denied_pct":35.8,"remanded_pct":5.7},{"year":2021,"issues":387,"granted_pct":54.5,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":13.2},{"year":2022,"issues":313,"granted_pct":62,"denied_pct":24,"remanded_pct":12.5},{"year":2023,"issues":277,"granted_pct":59.6,"denied_pct":21.7,"remanded_pct":17.3},{"year":2024,"issues":296,"granted_pct":62.8,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":10.8},{"year":2025,"issues":220,"granted_pct":53.6,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":15},{"year":2026,"issues":90,"granted_pct":63.3,"denied_pct":24.4,"remanded_pct":12.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":53,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":232,"granted_pct_with":70.8,"granted_pct_without":64.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1151,"granted_pct_with":65.7,"granted_pct_without":67.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":104,"granted_pct_with":74.5,"granted_pct_without":65.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":269,"granted_pct_with":66,"granted_pct_without":65.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":397,"granted_pct_with":66.5,"granted_pct_without":65.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":87,"granted_pct_with":72,"granted_pct_without":65.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1252,"granted_pct_with":66.5,"granted_pct_without":61.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":28},{"reason":"moderate instability found","decisions":7},{"reason":"warrants 10 percent rating under dc 5257","decisions":5},{"reason":"slight instability found","decisions":5},{"reason":"slight instability warrants 10 percent rating","decisions":5},{"reason":"slight instability warrants 10 percent rating under dc 5257","decisions":5}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":42},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":19},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":13},{"reason":"criteria for rating in excess of 10 percent not met","decisions":8},{"reason":"no evidence of moderate or severe instability","decisions":6},{"reason":"criteria for higher rating not met","decisions":6}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26036700","year":2026,"judge":"R. BISIGNANI","rationale":"Granted 20% for instability with incomplete/partial tear; Requires prescription for cane and brace; Effective December 18, 2025"},{"case_id":"A26036090","year":2026,"judge":"HARVEY P. ROBERTS","rationale":"Veteran's testimony of instability and need for brace found credible.; March 2020 VA exam noted need for brace, though no objective instability found.; Rating aligns with Diagnostic Code 5257 for slight instability."},{"case_id":"A26036086","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"Veteran's testimony of knee giving out; Consistent with slight recurrent instability; Resolving reasonable doubt in Veteran's favor"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040469","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN R. DOOLITTLE, II","rationale":"Denied rating exceeding 10 percent.; Evidence persuasively against criteria for recurrent instability after repair.; Evidence persuasively against criteria for unrepaired instability requiring brace/device."},{"case_id":"A26040794","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"Instability corresponds to slight instability (1+); No anterior, posterior, or lateral instability noted; Medial instability measured at 0-5 millimeters"},{"case_id":"A26039063","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. PAPPAS","rationale":"Reduction based on material improvement; No prescribed assistive device for ambulation; Sufficient range of motion for 10 percent rating"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}