The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left femur fracture with internal derangement and degenerative joint disease of the left knee. Separate evaluations have been assigned for instability of the left knee, and service connection has been established for right knee disorder, low back disorder, and left hip disorder as secondary to the service-connected left femur fracture. The veteran's right hip disorder is not considered service connected.
The deciding factor: The VA Office of General Counsel determined that separate evaluations should be assigned for instability in cases involving both arthritis and instability of a knee.
- Claimed conditions
- Left femur fracture, Degenerative joint disease of the left knee, Right knee disorder, Low back disorder, Left hip disorder, Right hip disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- May 12, 2003
- Citation
- 0308871
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0308871.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee braces caused wear and tear to his clothing in the year of 2021, leading to a decision granting annual clothing allowances for both knee braces.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology.
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