The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The VA granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, DEA benefits, and denied SMC based on housebound criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for left knee total replacement from May 1, 2017 to April 10, 2019 or for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee total revision status post total knee replacement from May 1, 2020 forward.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Total Replacement, Post-Traumatic Arthritis, Heterotopic Ossification
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2022
- Citation
- 22003908
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22003908.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left knee total replacement is granted an increased rating of 60 percent, but no higher. The extension of a temporary total evaluation based on severe post-operative residuals following left knee TKR is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral knee total replacements are granted with a maximum disability rating of 60 percent, effective November 9, 2021. The claims for right and left knee surgical scars were denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's total left and right knee replacement ratings have been granted at a 60 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU on and after August 1, 2022, due to his service-connected disabilities including left knee total replacement, major depressive disorder, right and left hip strains, tinnitus, and other related conditions. The decision is based on the combined disability rating of 90 percent.
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