The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left and right knee DJD (with limitation of flexion) and right knee DJD (with limitation of extension) was denied. The Veteran had limited range of motion in both knees, but no evidence of ankylosis or other complications.,The Veteran also appealed for a rating for his right knee symptomatic removal of cartilage with locking and effusion, which resulted in an episode of locking without swelling.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not support ratings greater than 10 percent for left and right knee DJD (with limitation of flexion) and right knee DJD (with limitation of extension).
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), Right Knee DJD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21072387
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 21072387.
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The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA needs to obtain examination reports and determine if the service-connected conditions meet the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA) grant due to his respiratory disability, which is presumed by the PACT Act. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a permanent and total disability resulting in anatomical loss of use of both hands, burns, or residuals of an inhalational injury.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left thumb sprain. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for left knee instability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), finding that the Veteran's current DJD is related to his active duty service.
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