{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/replacement-of-knee-with-prosthesis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:21.363Z","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":"Replacement of knee with prosthesis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":995,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":15.7,"denied_pct":26.7,"remanded_pct":57.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":37,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":67,"granted_pct":10.4,"denied_pct":17.9,"remanded_pct":68.7},{"year":2018,"issues":125,"granted_pct":13.6,"denied_pct":14.4,"remanded_pct":68},{"year":2019,"issues":121,"granted_pct":19.8,"denied_pct":24.8,"remanded_pct":55.4},{"year":2020,"issues":175,"granted_pct":16.6,"denied_pct":35.4,"remanded_pct":46.9},{"year":2021,"issues":140,"granted_pct":10.7,"denied_pct":28.6,"remanded_pct":55},{"year":2022,"issues":140,"granted_pct":9.3,"denied_pct":30,"remanded_pct":57.1},{"year":2023,"issues":158,"granted_pct":15.2,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":60.1},{"year":2024,"issues":117,"granted_pct":14.5,"denied_pct":23.9,"remanded_pct":59.8},{"year":2025,"issues":118,"granted_pct":18.6,"denied_pct":26.3,"remanded_pct":51.7},{"year":2026,"issues":37,"granted_pct":29.7,"denied_pct":18.9,"remanded_pct":51.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":49.4,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":86,"granted_pct_with":60.9,"granted_pct_without":32.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":638,"granted_pct_with":37,"granted_pct_without":36.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":85,"granted_pct_with":69.4,"granted_pct_without":32.7},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":252,"granted_pct_with":41.9,"granted_pct_without":34.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":253,"granted_pct_with":41.2,"granted_pct_without":35},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":67,"granted_pct_with":57.9,"granted_pct_without":34.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":725,"granted_pct_with":37.7,"granted_pct_without":34.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":46,"granted_pct_with":40,"granted_pct_without":36.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":12},{"reason":"chronic residuals of severe painful motion or weakness","decisions":11},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":7},{"reason":"criteria for 60 percent rating met","decisions":5},{"reason":"severe painful motion and weakness","decisions":3},{"reason":"met criteria for 60% rating under dc 5055","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":29},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":17},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":10},{"reason":"criteria for higher rating not met","decisions":9},{"reason":"criteria for increased rating not met","decisions":7},{"reason":"no chronic residuals of severe painful motion or weakness","decisions":6}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005025","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Criteria for 60 percent rating met; Severe painful motion and weakness"},{"case_id":"A26037731","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"Favorable finding by RO adopted by Board; Secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability"},{"case_id":"A26035807","year":2026,"judge":"SHAUN S. SPERANZA","rationale":"Veteran underwent total right knee replacement in November 2021.; Prior rating criteria under DC 5055 more favorable.; Temporary 100 percent rating warranted for one year post-prosthetic replacement."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26004546","year":2026,"judge":"KRISTY L. ZADORA","rationale":"Criteria for higher ratings not met; Residuals of total left knee replacement; Specific appeal periods considered"},{"case_id":"A26033535","year":2026,"judge":"I. CANNADAY","rationale":"60 percent is maximum schedular rating under DC 5055; Evidence did not support higher rating; Benefit of the doubt inapplicable for higher ratings"},{"case_id":"A26032212","year":2026,"judge":"S.C. KREMBS","rationale":"Residuals of left knee total arthroplasty did not meet criteria for rating exceeding 30 percent.; Forward flexion limited to 35 degrees, not 30 degrees or less.; No ankylosis of the knee."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}