The Veteran seeks restoration of a 30% rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, which was reduced from 30% to 20% in March 2016. The Board finds that the reduction was improper and restores the 30% rating as of April 1, 2016.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an effective date earlier than August 23, 2012, for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board determines that the correct effective date is August 23, 2012.,The Veteran contends he should be entitled to a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to February 7, 2017. The Board finds that the current 70% rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.
The deciding factor: The reduction from 30% to 20% was improper due to no appreciable improvement in the Veteran's functional impairment under ordinary conditions of life and work.,There is no evidence showing that any written communication prior to August 23, 2012, indicated entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date of August 23, 2012, is correct.,The current rating of 70% adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Knee, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (diagnosed as specified trauma and stressor related disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and stimulant use disorder)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21040862
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 21040862.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30 percent for the period beginning February 2, 2024. The rating was denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to inadequate medical examination reports in his previous case. The AOJ is instructed to arrange a new right knee examination, considering the Veteran's incarceration status.
- Denied
The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, from April 1, 2011, but no earlier.
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.